Подорож до Країни Оз
18. The Emerald City
Thebodyofthechariotwasdecoratedontheoutsidewithdesignsinclustersofsparklingemeralds,whileinsideitwaslinedwithagreenandgoldsatin,andthecushionsoftheseatswereofgreenplushembroideredingoldwithacrown,underneathwhichwasamonogram.
"Why,it’sOzma’sownroyalchariot!"exclaimedDorothy.
"Yes,"saidtheCowardlyLion;"Ozmasentustomeetyouhere,forshefearedyouwouldbewearywithyourlongwalkandshewishedyoutoentertheCityinastylebecomingyourexaltedrank."
"What!"criedPolly,lookingatDorothycuriously."Doyoubelongtothenobility?"
"JustinOzIdo,"saidthechild,"’causeOzmamademeaPrincess,youknow.ButwhenI’mhomeinKansasI’monlyacountrygirl,andhavetohelpwiththechurningandwipethedisheswhileAuntEmwashes’em.Doyouhavetohelpwashdishesontherainbow,Polly?"
"No,dear,"answeredPolychrome,smiling.
"Well,Idon’thavetoworkanyinOz,either,"saidDorothy."It’skindoffuntobeaPrincessonceinawhile;don’tyouthinkso?"
"DorothyandPolychromeandButton-Brightarealltorideinthechariot,"saidtheLion."Sogetin,mydears,andbecarefulnottomarthegoldorputyourdustyfeetontheembroidery."
Button-Brightwasdelightedtoridebehindsuchasuperbteam,andhetoldDorothyitmadehimfeellikeanactorinacircus.AsthestridesoftheanimalsbroughtthemnearertotheEmeraldCityeveryonebowedrespectfullytothechildren,aswellastotheTinWoodman,Tik-tok,andtheshaggyman,whowerefollowingbehind.