16. Jim, the Cab-Horse

           JimtheCab-horsefoundhimselfinpossessionofalargeroomwithagreenmarblefloorandcarvedmarblewainscoting,whichwassostatelyinitsappearancethatitwouldhaveawedanyoneelse.Jimaccepteditasameredetail,andathiscommandtheattendantsgavehiscoatagoodrubbing,combedhismaneandtail,andwashedhishoofsandfetlocks.Thentheytoldhimdinnerwouldbeserveddirectlyandherepliedthattheycouldnotserveittooquicklytosuithisconvenience.Firsttheybroughthimasteamingbowlofsoup,whichthehorseeyedindismay.

           "Takethatstuffaway!"hecommanded."Doyoutakemeforasalamander?"

           Theyobeyedatonce,andnextservedafinelargeturbotonasilverplatter,withdrawngravypouredoverit.

           "Fish!"criedJim,withasniff."Doyoutakemeforatom-cat?Awaywithit!"

           Theservantswerealittlediscouraged,butsoontheybroughtinagreattraycontainingtwodozennicelyroastedquailontoast.

           "Well,well!"saidthehorse,nowthoroughlyprovoked."Doyoutakemeforaweasel?Howstupidandignorantyouare,intheLandofOz,andwhatdreadfulthingsyoufeedupon!Istherenothingthatisdecenttoeatinthispalace?"

           ThetremblingservantssentfortheRoyalSteward,whocameinhasteandsaid:

           "WhatwouldyourHighnesslikefordinner?"

           "Highness!"repeatedJim,whowasunusedtosuchtitles.

           "Youareatleastsixfeethigh,andthatishigherthananyotheranimalinthiscountry,"saidtheSteward.

           "Well,myHighnesswouldlikesomeoats,"declaredthehorse.

           "Oats?Wehavenowholeoats,"theStewardreplied,withmuchdeference.