Смарагдове місто країни Оз
20. How Dorothy Lunched With a King
Buttheygotciv’lized,intime,andnowthey’dhatetogobacktotheolddays."
"Thatisanentirelydifferentcase,"repliedtheKing."NoneofyouHumanswerecivilizedinonelifetime.Itcametoyoubydegrees.ButIhaveknowntheforestandthefreelife,andthatiswhyIresentbeingcivilizedallatonce,againstmywill,andbeingmadeaKingwithacrownandanerminerobe.Pah!"
"Ifyoudon’tlikeit,whydon’tyouresign?"sheasked.
"Impossible!"wailedtheRabbit,wipinghiseyesagainwithhishandkerchief."There’sabeastlylawinthistownthatforbidsit.WhenoneiselectedaKing,there’snogettingoutofit."
"Whomadethelaws?"inquiredDorothy.
"ThesameSorceresswhomadethetown--GlindatheGood.Shebuiltthewall,andfixeduptheCity,andgaveusseveralvaluableenchantments,andmadethelaws.Thensheinvitedallthepink-eyedwhiterabbitsoftheforesttocomehere,afterwhichsheleftustoourfate."
"Whatmadeyou’cepttheinvitation,andcomehere?"askedthechild.
"Ididn’tknowhowdreadfulcitylifewas,andI’dnoideaIwouldbeelectedKing,"saidhe,sobbingbitterly."And--and--nowI’mIt--withacapitalI--andcan’tescape!"
"IknowGlinda,"remarkedDorothy,eatingfordessertadishofcharlotterusse,"andwhenIseeheragain,I’llaskhertoputanotherKinginyourplace."
"Willyou?Willyou,indeed?"askedtheKing,joyfully.
"Iwillifyouwantmeto,"shereplied.
"Hurroo--huray!"shoutedtheKing;andthenhejumpedupfromthetableanddancedwildlyabouttheroom,wavinghisnapkinlikeaflagandlaughingwithglee.
