Смарагдове місто країни Оз

           AsthevisitorsenteredtheenclosuretheWizardletthedoorswingbackintoplace,andatoncethelineofsoldierstumbledover,fellflatupontheirbacks,andlayflutteringupontheground.

           "Hithere!"calledoneofthem;"whatdoyoumeanbyslammingthedoorandblowingusover?"

           "Ibegyourpardon,I’msure,"saidtheWizard,regretfully."Ididn’tknowyouweresodelicate."

           "We’renotdelicate!"retortedanothersoldier,raisinghisheadfromtheground."Wearestrongandhealthy;butwecan’tstanddraughts."

           "MayIhelpyouup?"askedDorothy.

           "Ifyouplease,"repliedtheendsoldier."Butdoitgently,littlegirl."

           Dorothycarefullystoodupthelineofsoldiers,whofirstdustedtheirpaintedclothesandthensalutedthevisitorswiththeirpapermuskets.Fromtheenditwaseasytoseethattheentirelinehadbeencutoutofpaper,althoughfromthefrontthesoldierslookedrathersolidandimposing.

           "I’vealetterofintroductionfromPrincessOzmatoMissCuttenclip,"announcedDorothy.

           "Verywell,"saidtheendsoldier,andblewuponapaperwhistlethathungaroundhisneck.AtonceapapersoldierinaCaptain’suniformcameoutofapaperhousenearbyandapproachedthegroupattheentrance.Hewasnotverybig,andhewalkedratherstifflyanduncertainlyonhispaperlegs;buthehadapleasantface,withveryredcheeksandveryblueeyes,andhebowedsolowtothestrangersthatDorothylaughed,andthebreezefromhermouthnearlyblewtheCaptainover.Hewaveredandstruggledandfinallymanagedtoremainuponhisfeet.

           "Takecare,Miss!"hesaid,warningly.