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18. The Emerald City
TheYellowHenhadpercheduponthebackofthechariot,whereshecouldtellDorothymoreaboutherwonderfulchickensastheyrode.AndsothegrandchariotcamefinallytothehighwallsurroundingtheCity,andpausedbeforethemagnificentjewel-studdedgates.
Thesewereopenedbyacheerful-lookinglittlemanwhoworegreenspectaclesoverhiseyes.DorothyintroducedhimtoherfriendsastheGuardianoftheGates,andtheynoticedabigbunchofkeyssuspendedonthegoldenchainthathungaroundhisneck.Thechariotpassedthroughtheoutergatesintoafinearchedchamberbuiltinthethickwall,andthroughtheinnergatesintothestreetsoftheEmeraldCity.
PolychromeexclaimedinraptureatthewondrousbeautythatmethereyesoneverysideastheyrodethroughthisstatelyandimposingCity,theequalofwhichhasneverbeendiscovered,eveninFairyland.Button-Brightcouldonlysay"My!"soamazingwasthesight;buthiseyeswerewideopenandhetriedtolookineverydirectionatthesametime,soasnottomissanything.
Theshaggymanwasfairlyastoundedatwhathesaw,forthegracefulandhandsomebuildingswerecoveredwithplatesofgoldandsetwithemeraldssosplendidandvaluablethatinanyotherpartoftheworldanyoneofthemwouldhavebeenworthafortunetoitsowner.Thesidewalksweresuperbmarbleslabspolishedassmoothasglass,andthecurbsthatseparatedthewalksfromthebroadstreetwerealsosetthickwithclusteredemeralds.