Волшебник страны Оз
The Guardian of the Gate
"Wheredidyougetthemarkuponyourforehead?"continuedthevoice.
"ThatiswheretheGoodWitchoftheNorthkissedmewhenshebademegood-byeandsentmetoyou,"saidthegirl.
Againtheeyeslookedathersharply,andtheysawshewastellingthetruth.ThenOzasked, "Whatdoyouwishmetodo?"
"SendmebacktoKansas,wheremyAuntEmandUncleHenryare,"sheansweredearnestly. "Idon’tlikeyourcountry,althoughitissobeautiful. AndIamsureAuntEmwillbedreadfullyworriedovermybeingawaysolong."
Theeyeswinkedthreetimes,andthentheyturneduptotheceilinganddowntothefloorandrolledaroundsoqueerlythattheyseemedtoseeeverypartoftheroom. AndatlasttheylookedatDorothyagain.
"WhyshouldIdothisforyou?"askedOz.
"BecauseyouarestrongandIamweak;becauseyouareaGreatWizardandIamonlyalittlegirl."
"ButyouwerestrongenoughtokilltheWickedWitchoftheEast,"saidOz.
"Thatjusthappened,"returnedDorothysimply;"Icouldnothelpit."
"Well,"saidtheHead,"Iwillgiveyoumyanswer.YouhavenorighttoexpectmetosendyoubacktoKansasunlessyoudosomethingformeinreturn. Inthiscountryeveryonemustpayforeverythinghegets. Ifyouwishmetousemymagicpowertosendyouhomeagainyoumustdosomethingformefirst. HelpmeandIwillhelpyou."
