Смарагдове місто країни Оз
20. How Dorothy Lunched With a King
Afteratimehemanagedtocontrolhisdelightandreturnedtothetable.
"WhenareyoulikelytoseeGlinda?"heinquired.
"Oh,p’rapsinafewdays,"saidDorothy.
"Andyouwon’tforgettoaskher?"
"Ofcoursenot."
"Princess,"saidtheRabbitKing,earnestly,"youhaverelievedmeofagreatunhappiness,andIamverygrateful.ThereforeIproposetoentertainyou,sinceyouaremyguestandIamtheKing,asaslightmarkofmyappreciation.Comewithmetomyreceptionhall."
HethensummonedBristleandsaidtohim:"Assembleallthenobilityinthegreatreceptionhall,andalsotellBlinkemthatIwanthimimmediately."
TheKeeperoftheWicketbowedandhurriedaway,andhisMajestyturnedtoDorothyandcontinued:"We’llhavetimeforawalkinthegardensbeforethepeoplegethere."
Thegardenswerebackofthepalaceandwerefilledwithbeautifulflowersandfragrantshrubs,withmanyshadeandfruittreesandmarble-pavedwalksrunningineverydirection.AstheyenteredthisplaceBlinkemcamerunningtotheKing,whogavehimseveralordersinalowvoice.ThenhisMajestyrejoinedDorothyandledherthroughthegardens,whichsheadmiredverymuch.
"WhatlovelyclothesyourMajestywears!"shesaid,glancingattherichbluesatincostume,embroidered,withpearlsinwhichtheKingwasdressed.
"Yes,"hereturned,withanairofpride,"thisisoneofmyfavoritesuits;butIhaveagoodmanythatareevenmoreelaborate.WehaveexcellenttailorsinBunnybury,andGlindasuppliesallthematerial.Bytheway,youmightasktheSorceress,whenyouseeher,topermitmetokeepmywardrobe