Смарагдове місто країни Оз

           "MydearGuph,"remarkedtheNomeKingtohisGeneral,"atlastmyvengeanceuponOzmaofOzandherpeopleisabouttobeaccomplished."

           "Youareright!"declaredtheGeneral."Ozmaissurelylost."

           AndnowtheFirstandForemost,whowasinadvanceandnearingtheEmeraldCity,begantocoughandtosneeze.

           "Thistunnelisterriblydusty,"hegrowled,angrily."I’llpunishthatNomeKingfornothavingitsweptclean.MythroatandeyesaregettingfullofdustandI’masthirstyasafish!"

           TheGrandGallipootwascoughingtoo,andhisthroatwasparchedanddry.

           "Whatadustyplace!"hecried."I’llbegladwhenwereachOz,wherewecangetadrink."

           "Whohasanywater?"askedtheWhimsieChief,gaspingandchoking.Butnoneofhisfollowerscarriedadropofwater,sohehastenedontogetthroughthedustytunneltotheLandofOz.

           "Wheredidallthisdustcomefrom?"demandedGeneralGuph,tryinghardtoswallowbutfindinghisthroatsodryhecouldn’t.

           "Idon’tknow,"answeredtheNomeKing."I’vebeeninthetunneleverydaywhileitwasbeingbuilt,butInevernoticedanydustbefore."

           "Let’shurry!"criedtheGeneral."I’dgivehalfthegoldinOzforadrinkofwater."

           Thedustgrewthickerandthicker,andthethroatsandeyesandnosesoftheinvaderswerefilledwithit.Butnotonehaltedorturnedback.Theyhurriedforwardmorefierceandvengefulthanever.