Путешествие в Страну Оз

           "Openthelockets,Dorothy,"saidBillina.Thegirlobeyedandfoundapictureofherselfineachlocket."Theywerenamedafteryou,mydear,"continuedtheYellowHen,"soIwantedallmychickenstowearyourpicture.Cluck—cluck!comehere,Dorothy—thisminute!"shecried,forthechickenswerescatteredandwanderingallaroundthebigroom.

           Theyobeyedthecallatonce,andcamerunningasfastastheycould,flutteringtheirfluffywingsinalaughableway.

           ItwasluckythatBillinagatheredthelittleonesunderhersoftbreastjustthen,forTik-tokcameinandtrampeduptothethroneonhisflatcopperfeet.

           "Iamallwoundupandwork-ingfine-ly,"saidtheclock-workmantoDorothy.

           "Icanhearhimtick,"declaredButton-Bright.

           "Youarequitethepolishedgentleman,"saidtheTinWoodman."Standupherebesidetheshaggyman,Tik-tok,andhelpreceivethecompany."

           DorothyplacedsoftcushionsinacornerforBillinaandherchicks,andhadjustreturnedtotheThroneandseatedherselfwhentheplayingoftheroyalbandoutsidethepalaceannouncedtheapproachofdistinguishedguests.

           Andmy,howtheydidstarewhentheHighChamberlainthrewopenthedoorsandthevisitorsenteredtheThrone-Room!

           Firstwalkedagingerbreadmanneatlyformedandbakedtoalovelybrowntint.Heworeasilkhatandcarriedacandycaneprettilystripedwithredandyellow.Hisshirt-frontandcuffswerewhitefrosting,andthebuttonsonhiscoatwerelicoricedrops.

           Behindthegingerbreadmancameachildwithflaxenhairandmerryblueeyes,dressedinwhitepajamas,withsandalsonthesolesofitsprettybarefeet.