Озма з країни Оз
4. Tiktok, the Machine Man
Alsohisheadandlimbswerecopper,andthesewerejointedorhingedtohisbodyinapeculiarway,withmetalcapsoverthejoints,likethearmorwornbyknightsindaysofold.Hestoodperfectlystill,andwherethelightstruckuponhisformitglitteredasifmadeofpuregold.
"Don’tbefrightened,"calledBillina,fromherperch."Itisn’talive."
"Iseeitisn’t,"repliedthegirl,drawingalongbreath.
"Itisonlymadeoutofcopper,liketheoldkettleinthebarn-yardathome,"continuedthehen,turningherheadfirsttoonesideandthentotheother,sothatbothherlittleroundeyescouldexaminetheobject.
"Once,"saidDorothy,"Iknewamanmadeoutoftin,whowasawoodmannamedNickChopper.Buthewasasaliveasweare,’causehewasbornarealman,andgothistinbodyalittleatatime--firstalegandthenafingerandthenanear--forthereasonthathehadsomanyaccidentswithhisaxe,andcuthimselfupinaverycarelessmanner."
"Oh,"saidthehen,withasniff,asifshedidnotbelievethestory.
"Butthiscopperman,"continuedDorothy,lookingatitwithbigeyes,"isnotaliveatall,andIwonderwhatitwasmadefor,andwhyitwaslockedupinthisqueerplace."
"Thatisamystery,"remarkedthehen,twistingherheadtoarrangeherwing-featherswithherbill.
Dorothysteppedinsidethelittleroomtogetabackviewofthecopperman,andinthiswaydiscoveredaprintedcardthathungbetweenhisshoulders,itbeingsuspendedfromasmallcopperpegatthebackofhisneck.