Путешествие в Страну Оз

           Sovastwasthedomethattherewasalargespaceinthemiddleofthecave,infrontofallthesehouses,wherethecreaturesmightcongregateasinagreathall.

           ItmadeDorothyshuddertoseeahugeironkettlesuspendedbyastoutchaininthemiddleoftheplace,andunderneaththekettleagreatheapofkindlingwoodandshavings,readytolight.

           "What’sthat?"askedtheshaggyman,drawingbackastheyapproachedthisplace,sothattheywereforcedtopushhimforward.

           "TheSoupKettle!"yelledtheScoodlers,andthentheyshoutedinthenextbreath:

           "We’rehungry!"

           Button-Bright,holdingDorothy’shandinonechubbyfistandPolly’shandintheother,wassoaffectedbythisshoutthathebegantocryagain,repeatingtheprotest:

           "Don’twanttobesoup,Idon’t!"

           "Nevermind,"saidtheshaggyman,consolingly;"Ioughttomakeenoughsouptofeedthemall,I’msobig;soI’llaskthemtoputmeinthekettlefirst."

           "Allright,"saidButton-Bright,morecheerfully.

           ButtheScoodlerswerenotreadytomakesoupyet.Theyledthecaptivesintoahouseatthefarthestsideofthecave—ahousesomewhatwiderthantheothers.

           "Wholiveshere?"askedtheRainbow’sDaughter.TheScoodlersnearestherreplied:

           "TheQueen."

           ItmadeDorothyhopefultolearnthatawomanruledoverthesefiercecreatures,butamomentlatertheywereusheredbytwoorthreeoftheescortintoagloomy,bareroom—andherhopediedaway.

           FortheQueenoftheScoodlersprovedtobemuchmoredreadfulinappearancethananyofherpeople.