Озма из страны Оз

           Shelookedatasilvercandelabrathathadtenbranches,andthought:"ThismaybetheQueenofEvandhertenchildren."Soshetoucheditandutteredaloudtheword"Ev,"astheNomeKinghadinstructedhertodowhensheguessed.Butthecandelabraremainedasitwasbefore.

           Thenshewanderedintoanotherroomandtouchedachinalamb,thinkingitmightbeoneofthechildrenshesought.Butagainshewasunsuccessful.Threeguesses;fourguesses;five,six,seven,eight,nineandtenshemade,andstillnotoneofthemwasright!

           Thegirlshiveredalittleandgrewpaleevenundertherosylight;fornowbutoneguessremained,andherownfatedependedupontheresult.

           Sheresolvednottobehasty,andstrolledthroughalltheroomsoncemore,gazingearnestlyuponthevariousornamentsandtryingtodecidewhichshewouldtouch.Finally,indespair,shedecidedtoleaveitentirelytochance.Shefacedthedoorwayofaroom,shuthereyestightly,andthen,thrustingasidetheheavydraperies,sheadvancedblindlywithherrightarmoutstretchedbeforeher.

           Slowly,softlyshecreptforwarduntilherhandcameincontactwithanobjectuponasmallroundtable.Shedidnotknowwhatitwas,butinalowvoiceshepronouncedtheword"Ev."

           Theroomswerequiteemptyoflifeafterthat.TheNomeKinghadgainedanewornament.Forupontheedgeofthetablerestedaprettygrasshopper,thatseemedtohavebeenformedfromasingleemerald.ItwasallthatremainedofOzmaofOz.

           InthethroneroomjustbeyondthepalacetheNomeKingsuddenlylookedupandsmiled.

           "Next!"hesaid,inhispleasantvoice