Смарагдове місто країни Оз
18. How Ozma Looked into the Magic Picture
Merelybecauseshewascuriousandhadnothingbettertodo,OzmaglancedattheMagicPictureandwishedtoseeinittheKingoftheNomes.
RoquattheRedwenteverydayintohistunneltoseehowtheworkwasgettingalongandtohurryhisworkmenasmuchaspossible.Hewastherenow,andOzmasawhimplainlyintheMagicPicture.
Shesawtheundergroundtunnel,reachingfarunderneaththeDeadlyDesertwhichseparatedtheLandofOzfromthemountainsbeneathwhichtheNomeKinghadhisextensivecaverns.ShesawthatthetunnelwasbeingmadeinthedirectionoftheEmeraldCity,andknewatonceitwasbeingdugsothatthearmyofNomescouldmarchthroughitandattackherownbeautifulandpeacefulcountry.
"IsupposeKingRoquatisplanningrevengeagainstus,"shesaid,musingly,"andthinkshecansurpriseusandmakeushiscaptivesandslaves.Howsaditisthatanyonecanhavesuchwickedthoughts!ButImustnotblameKingRoquattooseverely,forheisaNome,andhisnatureisnotsogentleasmyown."
Thenshedismissedfromhermindfurtherthoughtofthetunnel,forthattime,andbegantowonderifAuntEmwouldnotbehappyasRoyalMenderoftheStockingsoftheRulerofOz.Ozmaworefewholesinherstockings;still,theysometimesneededmending.AuntEmoughttobeabletodothatverynicely.
Nextday,thePrincesswatchedthetunnelagaininherMagicPicture,andeverydayafterwardshedevotedafewminutestoinspectingthework.Itwasnotespeciallyinteresting,butshefeltthatitwasherduty
