Озма из страны Оз

           So,asslavesmustworkhard,andtheQueenofEvandherchildrenweredelicateandtender,Itransformedthemallintoarticlesofornamentandbric-a-bracandscatteredthemaroundthevariousroomsofmypalace.Insteadofbeingobligedtolabor,theymerelydecoratemyapartments,andIreallythinkIhavetreatedthemwithgreatkindness."

           "Butwhatadreadfulfateistheirs!"exclaimedOzma,earnestly."AndtheKingdomofEvisingreatneedofitsroyalfamilytogovernit.Ifyouwillliberatethem,andrestorethemtotheirproperforms,Iwillgiveyoutenornamentstoreplaceeachoneyoulose."

           TheNomeKinglookedgrave.

           "SupposeIrefuse?"heasked.

           "Then,"saidOzma,firmly,"Iamherewithmyfriendsandmyarmytoconqueryourkingdomandobligeyoutoobeymywishes."

           TheNomeKinglaugheduntilhechoked;andhechokeduntilhecoughed;andhecougheduntilhisfaceturnedfromgrayish-browntobrightred.Andthenhewipedhiseyeswitharock-coloredhandkerchiefandgrewgraveagain.

           "Youareasbraveasyouarepretty,mydear,"hesaidtoOzma."Butyouhavelittleideaoftheextentofthetaskyouhaveundertaken.Comewithmeforamoment."

           HearoseandtookOzma’shand,leadinghertoalittledooratonesideoftheroom.Thisheopenedandtheysteppedoutuponabalcony,fromwhencetheyobtainedawonderfulviewoftheUndergroundWorld.

           Avastcaveextendedformilesandmilesunderthemountain,andineverydirectionwerefurnacesandforgesglowingbrightlyandNomeshammeringuponpreciousmetalsorpolishinggleamingjewels.