Смарагдове місто країни Оз
10. How the Cuttenclips Lived
Someofthepaperpeoplewereonthestreet,walkingalongorcongregatedingroupsandtalkingtogether;butassoonastheysawthestrangerstheyallflutteredintothehousesasfastastheycouldgo,soastobeoutofdanger.
"ExcusemeifIgoedgewise,"remarkedtheCaptainastheycametoaslighthill."Icangetalongfasterthatwayandnotfluttersomuch."
"That’sallright,"saidDorothy."Wedon’tmindhowyougo,I’msure."
Atonesideofthestreetwasapaperpump,andapaperboywaspumpingpaperwaterintoapaperpail.TheYellowHenhappenedtobrushagainstthisboywithherwing,andheflewintotheairandfellintoapapertree,wherehestuckuntiltheWizardgentlypulledhimout.Atthesametime,thepailwentintotheair,spillingthepaperwater,whilethepaperpumpbentnearlydouble.
"Goodnessme!"saidtheHen."IfIshouldflopmywingsIbelieveI’dknockoverthewholevillage!"
"Thendon’tflopthem--pleasedon’t!"entreatedtheCaptain."MissCuttenclipwouldbeverymuchdistressedifhervillagewasspoiled."
"Oh,I’llbecareful,"promisedBillina.
"ArenotallthesepapergirlsandwomennamedMissCuttenclips?"inquiredOmbyAmby.
"Noindeed,"answeredtheCaptain,whowaswalkingbettersincehebegantomoveedgewise."ThereisbutoneMissCuttenclip,whoisourQueen,becauseshemadeusall.ThesegirlsareCuttenclips,tobesure,buttheirnamesareEmilyandPollyandSueandBettyandsuchthings.OnlytheQueeniscalledMissCuttenclip."
"ImustsaythatthisplacebeatsanythingIeverheardof,"observedAuntEm.
