Изумрудный город страны Оз
20. How Dorothy Lunched With a King
Here’savisitor,"calledouttheattendant.
TheKingrolledoverandlookedatDorothywithonewaterypinkeye.Thenhesatupandwipedhiseyescarefullywithasilkhandkerchiefandputonhisjeweledcrown,whichhadfallenoff.
"Excusemygrief,fairstranger,"hesaid,inasadvoice."Youbeholdinmethemostmiserablemonarchinalltheworld.Whattimeisit,Blinkem?"
"Oneo’clock,yourMajesty,"repliedtheattendanttowhomthequestionwasaddressed.
"Serveluncheonatonce!"commandedtheKing."Luncheonfortwo--that’sformyvisitorandme--andseethatthehumanhassomesortoffoodshe’saccustomedto."
"Yes,yourMajesty,"answeredtheattendant,andwentaway.
"Tiemyshoe,Bristle,"saidtheKingtotheKeeperoftheWicket."Ahme!howunhappyIam!"
"WhatseemstobeworryingyourMajesty?"askedDorothy.
"Why,it’sthiskingbusiness,ofcourse,"hereturned,whiletheKeepertiedhisshoe."Ididn’twanttobeKingofBunnyburyatall,andtherabbitsallknewit.Sotheyelectedme--tosavethemselvesfromsuchadreadfulfate,Isuppose--andhereIam,shutupinapalace,whenImightbefreeandhappy."
"Seemstome,"saidDorothy,"it’sagreatthingtobeaKing."
"WereyoueveraKing?"inquiredthemonarch.
"No,"sheanswered,laughing.
"Thenyouknownothingaboutit,"hesaid."Ihaven’tinquiredwhoyouare,butitdoesn’tmatter.Whilewe’reatluncheon,I’lltellyouallmytroubles.They’reagreatdealmoreinterestingthananythingyoucansayaboutyourself."
"Perhapstheyare,toyou,"repliedDorothy.
