Смарагдове місто країни Оз
21. How the King Changed His Mind
AndIguessyou’retheonlyonethateverhascriedorwasunhappyandwantedtogetbacktoyourmuddyholeintheground."
HisMajestyseemedthoughtful,andwhiletheservantspassedaroundglassesofnectarandplatesoffrostedcakestheirKingwassilentandabitnervous.
WhentherefreshmentshadbeenenjoyedbyallandtheservantshadretiredDorothysaid:
"Imustgonow,forit’sgettinglateandI’mlost.I’vegottofindtheWizardandAuntEmandUncleHenryandalltherestsometimebeforenightcomes,ifIposs’blycan."
"Won’tyoustaywithus?"askedtheKing."Youwillbeverywelcome."
"No,thankyou,"shereplied."Imustgetbacktomyfriends.AndIwanttoseeGlindajustassoonasIcan,youknow."
SotheKingdismissedhiscourtandsaidhewouldhimselfwalkwithDorothytothegate.Hedidnotweepnorgroananymore,buthislongfacewasquitesolemnandhisbigearshungdejectedlyoneachsideofit.Hestillworehiscrownandhisermineandwalkedwithahandsomegold-headedcane.
WhentheyarrivedattheroominthewallthelittlegirlfoundTotoandBillinawaitingforherverypatiently.Theyhadbeenliberallyfedbysomeoftheattendantsandwereinnohurrytoleavesuchcomfortablequarters.
TheKeeperoftheWicketwasbythistimebackinhisoldplace,buthekeptasafedistancefromToto.DorothybadegoodbyetotheKingastheystoodjustinsidethewall.
"You’vebeengoodtome,"shesaid,"andIthankyoueversomuch.Assoonasposs’bleI’llseeGlindaandaskhertoputanotherKinginyourplaceandsendyoubackintothewildforest.
