Озма з країни Оз
16. Purple, Green and Gold
ItmighteasilyhavebeentheendofOzmaofOz,hadshebeenarealgrasshopperinsteadofanemeraldone.ButBillinafoundthegrasshopperhardandlifeless,andsuspectingitwasnotgoodtoeatshequicklydroppeditinsteadoflettingitslidedownherthroat.
"Imighthaveknownbetter,"shemutteredtoherself,"forwherethereisnograsstherecanbenolivegrasshoppers.ThisisprobablyoneoftheKing’stransformations."
Amomentlatersheapproachedoneofthepurpleornaments,andwhiletheQueenwatchedhercuriouslythehenbroketheNomeKing’senchantmentandasweet-facedgirl,whosegoldenhairfellinacloudoverhershoulders,stoodbesidethem.
"Evanna!"criedtheQueen,"myownEvanna!"andsheclaspedthegirltoherbosomandcoveredherfacewithkisses.
"That’sallright,"saidBillina,contentedly."AmIagoodguesser,Mr.NomeKing?Well,Iguess!"
Thenshedisenchantedanothergirl,whomtheQueenaddressedasEvrose,andafterwardsaboynamedEvardo,whowasolderthanhisbrotherEvring.Indeed,theyellowhenkeptthegoodQueenexclaimingandembracingforsometime,untilfivePrincessesandfourPrinces,alllookingverymuchalikeexceptforthedifferenceinsize,stoodinarowbesidetheirhappymother.
ThePrincesseswerenamed,Evanna,Evrose,Evella,EvireneandEvedna,whilethePrinceswereEvrob,Evington,EvardoandEvroland.OftheseEvardowastheeldestandwouldinherithisfather’sthroneandbecrownedKingofEvwhenhereturnedtohisowncountry.Hewasagraveandquietyouth,andwoulddoubtlessrulehispeoplewiselyandwithjustice.