Озма з країни Оз
11. The Nome King
I’msureIdonotknowhowtoactinthisemergency."
"AsktheKingwherehiskitchenis,"suggestedtheTiger."I’mhungryasabear."
"ImightpounceupontheKingandtearhiminpieces,"remarkedtheCowardlyLion.
"Tryit,"saidthemonarch,lightinghispipewithanotherhotcoalwhichhetookfromhispocket.
TheLioncrouchedlowandtriedtospringupontheNomeKing;buthehoppedonlyalittlewayintotheairandcamedownagaininthesameplace,notbeingabletoapproachthethronebyevenaninch.
"Itseemstome,"saidtheScarecrow,thoughtfully,"thatourbestplanistowheedlehisMajestyintogivinguphisslaves,sinceheistoogreatamagiciantooppose."
"Thisisthemostsensiblethinganyofyouhavesuggested,"declaredtheNomeKing."Itisfollytothreatenme,butI’msokind-heartedthatIcannotstandcoaxingorwheedling.Ifyoureallywishtoaccomplishanythingbyyourjourney,mydearOzma,youmustcoaxme."
"Verywell,"saidOzma,morecheerfully."Letusbefriends,andtalkthisoverinafriendlymanner."
"Tobesure,"agreedtheKing,hiseyestwinklingmerrily.
"Iamveryanxious,"shecontinued,"toliberatetheQueenofEvandherchildrenwhoarenowornamentsandbric-a-bracinyourMajesty’spalace,andtorestorethemtotheirpeople.Tellme,sir,howthismaybeaccomplished."
Thekingremainedthoughtfulforamoment,afterwhichheasked:
"Areyouwillingtotakeafewchancesandrisksyourself,inordertosetfreethepeopleofEv?"
"Yes,indeed!"answeredOzma,eagerly