Подорож до Країни Оз
24. The Birthday Celebration
TherewerenoprivatesinOzma’sArmybecausesoldierswerenotneededtofightbattles,butonlytolookimportant,andanofficeralwayslooksmoreimposingthanaprivate.
Whilethepeoplecheeredandwavedtheirhatsandhandkerchiefs,therecamewalkingtheRoyalPrincessOzma,lookingsoprettyandsweetthatitisnowonderherpeoplelovehersodearly.Shehaddecidedshewouldnotrideinherchariotthatday,asshepreferredtowalkintheprocessionwithherfavoredsubjectsandherguests.JustinfrontofhertrottedthelivingBlueBearRugownedbyoldDyna,whichwobbledclumsilyonitsfourfeetbecausetherewasnothingbuttheskintosupportthem,withastuffedheadatoneendandastubbytailattheother.ButwheneverOzmapausedinherwalktheBearRugwouldflopdownflatuponthegroundfortheprincesstostanduponuntilsheresumedherprogress.
FollowingthePrincessstalkedhertwoenormousbeasts,theCowardlyLionandtheHungryTiger,andeveniftheArmyhadnotbeentherethesetwowouldhavebeenpowerfulenoughtoguardtheirmistressfromanyharm.
Nextmarchedtheinvitedguests,whowereloudlycheeredbythepeopleofOzalongtheroad,andwerethereforeobligedtobowtorightandleftalmosteverystepoftheway.FirstwasSantaClaus,who,becausehewasfatandnotusedtowalking,rodethewonderfulSaw-Horse.Themerryoldgentlemanhadabasketofsmalltoyswithhim,andhetossedthetoysonebyonetothechildrenashepassedby.HisRylsandKnooksmarchedclosebehindhim.