Смарагдове місто країни Оз

           "

           Again,theKingseemedthoughtful.

           "I’malmostsorrywedidnotundertaketheconquestalone,"saidhe."Allofthesealliesaredangerouspeople,andtheymaydemandmorethanyouhavepromisedthem.ItmighthavebeenbettertohaveconqueredOzwithoutanyoutsideassistance."

           "Wecouldnotdoit,"saidtheGeneral,positively.

           "Whynot,Guph?"

           "Youknowverywell.YouhavehadoneexperiencewiththeOzpeople,andtheydefeatedyou."

           "Thatwasbecausetheyrolledeggsatus,"repliedtheKing,withashudder."MyNomescannotstandeggs,anymorethanIcanmyself.Theyarepoisontoallwholiveunderground."

           "Thatistrueenough,"agreedGuph.

           "ButwemighthavetakentheOzpeoplebysurprise,andconqueredthembeforetheyhadachancetogetanyeggs.OurformerdefeatwasduetothefactthatthegirlDorothyhadaYellowHenwithher.Idonotknowwhateverbecameofthathen,butIbelievetherearenohensatallintheLandofOz,andsotherecouldbenoeggsthere."

           "Onthecontrary,"saidGuph,"therearenowhundredsofchickensinOz,andtheylayheapsofthosedangerouseggs.Imetagoshawkonmywayhome,andthebirdinformedmethathehadlatelybeentoOztocaptureanddevoursomeoftheyoungchickens.Buttheyareprotectedbymagic,sothehawkdidnotgetasingleoneofthem."

           "Thatisaverybadreport,"saidtheKing,nervously."Verybad,indeed.MyNomesarewillingtofight,buttheysimplycan’tfacehen’seggs--andIdon’tblamethem."

           "Theywon’tneedtofacethem,"repliedGuph