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6. The Heads of Langwidere
"Can’tyouhearme?"snappedBillina."Dropthatapron,andgetoutofthedoorway,sothatImayenterwithmyfriends!"
"ThePrincesswon’tlikeit,"saidthemaid,hesitating.
"Idon’tcarewhethershelikesitornot,"repliedBillina,andflutteringherwingswithaloudnoisesheflewstraightatthemaid’sface.Thelittleservantatonceduckedherhead,andthehenreachedDorothy’ssideinsafety.
"Verywell,"sighedthemaid;"ifyouareallruinedbecauseofthisobstinatehen,don’tblamemeforit.Itisn’tsafetoannoythePrincessLangwidere."
"Tellherwearewaiting,ifyouplease,"Dorothyrequested,withdignity."Billinaismyfriend,andmustgowhereverIgo."
Withoutmorewordsthemaidledthemtoarichlyfurnisheddrawing-room,lightedwithsubduedrainbowtintsthatcameinthroughbeautifulstained-glasswindows.
"Remainhere,"shesaid."WhatnamesshallIgivethePrincess?"
"IamDorothyGale,ofKansas,"repliedthechild;"andthisgentlemanisamachinenamedTiktok,andtheyellowhenismyfriendBillina."
Thelittleservantbowedandwithdrew,goingthroughseveralpassagesandmountingtwomarblestairwaysbeforeshecametotheapartmentsoccupiedbyhermistress.
PrincessLangwidere’ssitting-roomwaspaneledwithgreatmirrors,whichreachedfromtheceilingtothefloor;alsotheceilingwascomposedofmirrors,andthefloorwasofpolishedsilverthatreflectedeveryobjectuponit.
