Чарівник країни Оз
The Queen of the Field Mice
"Well,"saidthewoman,afterthinkingitoverandtakinganotherpeepattheLion, "ifthatisthecaseyoumaycomein,andIwillgiveyousomesupperandaplacetosleep."
Sotheyallenteredthehouse,wheretherewere,besidesthewoman,twochildrenandaman. Themanhadhurthisleg,andwaslyingonthecouchinacorner.Theyseemedgreatlysurprisedtoseesostrangeacompany,andwhilethewomanwasbusylayingthetablethemanasked:
"Whereareyouallgoing?"
"TotheEmeraldCity,"saidDorothy,"toseetheGreatOz."
"Oh,indeed!"exclaimedtheman."AreyousurethatOzwillseeyou?"
"Whynot?"shereplied.
"Why,itissaidthatheneverletsanyonecomeintohispresence. IhavebeentotheEmeraldCitymanytimes,anditisabeautifulandwonderfulplace; butIhaveneverbeenpermittedtoseetheGreatOz,nordoIknowofanylivingpersonwhohasseenhim."
"Doeshenevergoout?"askedtheScarecrow.
"Never.HesitsdayafterdayinthegreatThroneRoomofhisPalace,andeventhosewhowaituponhimdonotseehimfacetoface."
"Whatishelike?"askedthegirl.
"Thatishardtotell,"saidthemanthoughtfully. "Yousee,OzisaGreatWizard,andcantakeonanyformhewishes.
