Изумрудный город страны Оз
21. How the King Changed His Mind
Finally,theyallmadedoublesomersaultsandturnedhandspringsoutoftheroom.
Thenobilityenthusiasticallyapplauded,andDorothyapplaudedwiththem.
"They’refine!"shesaidtotheKing.
"Yes,theWhiskeredFriskersarereallyveryclever,"hereplied."IshallhatetopartwiththemwhenIgoaway,fortheyhaveoftenamusedmewhenIwasverymiserable.IwonderifyouwouldaskGlinda--"
"No,itwouldn’tdoatall,"declaredDorothy,positively."Therewouldn’tberoominyourholeinthegroundforsomanyrabbits,’spec’lywhenyougetthelilychairandyourclothesthere.Don’tthinkofsuchathing,yourMajesty."
TheKingsighed.Thenhestoodupandannouncedtothecompany:
"WewillnowholdamilitarydrillbymypickedBodyguardofRoyalPikemen."
Nowthebandplayedamarchandacompanyofrabbitsoldierscamein.Theyworegreenandgolduniformsandmarchedverystifflybutinperfecttime.Theirspears,orpikes,hadslendershaftsofpolishedsilverwithgoldenheads,andduringthedrilltheyhandledtheseweaponswithwonderfuldexterity.
"Ishouldthinkyou’dfeelprettysafewithsuchafineBodyguard,"remarkedDorothy.
"Ido,"saidtheKing."Theyprotectmefromeveryharm.IsupposeGlindawouldn’t--"
"No,"interruptedthegirl;"I’msureshewouldn’t.It’stheKing’sownBodyguard,andwhenyouarenolongerKingyoucan’thave’em."
TheKingdidnotreply,buthelookedrathersorrowfulforatime.
Whenthesoldiershadmarchedouthesaidtothecompany:
"TheRoyalJugglerswillnowappear.
