Дороти и Волшебник в стране Оз

4. The Vegetable Kingdom

           AllofourPrincesandRulershavegrownuponthisonebushfromtimeimmemorial."

           Theystoodbeforeitinsilentadmiration.OnthecentralstalkstoodpoisedthefigureofagirlsoexquisitelyformedandcoloredandsolovelyintheexpressionofherdelicatefeaturesthatDorothythoughtshehadneverseensosweetandadorableacreatureinallherlife.Themaiden’sgownwassoftassatinandfellaboutherinamplefolds,whiledaintylace-liketraceriestrimmedthebodiceandsleeves.Herfleshwasfineandsmoothaspolishedivory,andherpoiseexpressedbothdignityandgrace.

           "Whoisthis?"askedtheWizard,curiously.

           ThePrincehadbeenstaringhardatthegirlonthebush.Nowheanswered,withatouchofuneasinessinhiscoldtones:

           "SheistheRulerdestinedtobemysuccessor,forsheisaRoyalPrincess.WhenshebecomesfullyripeImustabandonthesovereigntyoftheMangaboostoher."

           "Isn’tsheripenow?"askedDorothy.

           Hehesitated.

           "Notquite,"saidhe,finally."Itwillbeseveraldaysbeforesheneedstobepicked,oratleastthatismyjudgment.Iaminnohurrytoresignmyofficeandbeplanted,youmaybesure."

           "Probablynot,"declaredtheWizard,nodding.

           "Thisisoneofthemostunpleasantthingsaboutourvegetablelives,"continuedthePrince,withasigh,"thatwhileweareinourfullprimewemustgivewaytoanother,andbecoveredupinthegroundtosproutandgrowandgivebirthtootherpeople."

           "I’msurethePrincessisreadytobepicked,"assertedDorothy,gazinghardatthebeautifulgirlonthebush."She’sasperfectasshecanbe.

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