Смарагдове місто країни Оз
6. How Guph Visited the Whimsies
GeneralGuphthoughttheWhimsieswouldbeagreathelptotheNomesintheconquestofOz,forunderhisleadershiptheycouldbeinducedtofightaslongsotheycouldstandup.SohetraveledtotheircountryandaskedtoseetheChief,wholivedinahousethathadapictureofhisgrotesquefalseheadpaintedoverthedoorway.
TheChief’sfalseheadhadbluehair,aturned-upnose,andamouththatstretchedhalfacrosstheface.Biggreeneyeshadbeenpainteduponit,butinthecenterofthechinweretwosmallholesmadeinthepasteboard,sothattheChiefcouldseethroughthemwithhisowntinyeyes;forwhenthebigheadwasfasteneduponhisshoulderstheeyesinhisownnaturalheadwereonalevelwiththefalsechin.
SaidGeneralGuphtotheChiefoftheWhimsies:
"WeNomesaregoingtoconquertheLandofOzandcaptureourKing’sMagicBelt,whichtheOzpeoplestolefromhim.Thenwearegoingtoplunderanddestroythewholecountry.AndwewanttheWhimsiestohelpus."
"Willtherebeanyfighting?"askedtheChief.
"Plenty,"repliedGuph.
ThatmusthavepleasedtheChief,forhegotupanddancedaroundtheroomthreetimes.Thenheseatedhimselfagain,adjustedhisfalsehead,andsaid:
"WehavenoquarrelwithOzmaofOz."
"ButyouWhimsieslovetofight,andhereisasplendidchancetodoso,"urgedGuph.
"WaittillIsingasong,"saidtheChief.ThenhelaybackinhischairandsangafoolishsongthatdidnotseemtotheGeneraltomeananything,althoughhelistenedcarefully
