Смарагдове місто країни Оз

           Here’savisitor,"calledouttheattendant.

           TheKingrolledoverandlookedatDorothywithonewaterypinkeye.Thenhesatupandwipedhiseyescarefullywithasilkhandkerchiefandputonhisjeweledcrown,whichhadfallenoff.

           "Excusemygrief,fairstranger,"hesaid,inasadvoice."Youbeholdinmethemostmiserablemonarchinalltheworld.Whattimeisit,Blinkem?"

           "Oneo’clock,yourMajesty,"repliedtheattendanttowhomthequestionwasaddressed.

           "Serveluncheonatonce!"commandedtheKing."Luncheonfortwo--that’sformyvisitorandme--andseethatthehumanhassomesortoffoodshe’saccustomedto."

           "Yes,yourMajesty,"answeredtheattendant,andwentaway.

           "Tiemyshoe,Bristle,"saidtheKingtotheKeeperoftheWicket."Ahme!howunhappyIam!"

           "WhatseemstobeworryingyourMajesty?"askedDorothy.

           "Why,it’sthiskingbusiness,ofcourse,"hereturned,whiletheKeepertiedhisshoe."Ididn’twanttobeKingofBunnyburyatall,andtherabbitsallknewit.Sotheyelectedme--tosavethemselvesfromsuchadreadfulfate,Isuppose--andhereIam,shutupinapalace,whenImightbefreeandhappy."

           "Seemstome,"saidDorothy,"it’sagreatthingtobeaKing."

           "WereyoueveraKing?"inquiredthemonarch.

           "No,"sheanswered,laughing.

           "Thenyouknownothingaboutit,"hesaid."Ihaven’tinquiredwhoyouare,butitdoesn’tmatter.Whilewe’reatluncheon,I’lltellyouallmytroubles.They’reagreatdealmoreinterestingthananythingyoucansayaboutyourself."

           "Perhapstheyare,toyou,"repliedDorothy.