Путешествие в Страну Оз
21. Dorothy Receives the Guests
BythetimeDorothyandherfriendshadre-enteredherroom,theScarecrowwasthere,andhegavethegirlaheartyembraceandshookthehandsoftheotherswithhisownsquashyhands,whichwerewhiteglovesfilledwithstraw.
Theshaggyman,Button-Bright,andPolychromestaredhardatthiscelebratedperson,whowasacknowledgedtobethemostpopularandmostbelovedmaninalltheLandofOz.
"Why,yourfacehasbeennewlypainted!"exclaimedDorothy,whenthefirstgreetingswereover.
"IhadittouchedupabitbytheMunchkinfarmerwhofirstmademe,"answeredtheScarecrow,pleasantly."Mycomplexionhadbecomeabitgreyandfaded,youknow,andthepainthadpeeledoffoneendofmymouth,soIcouldn’ttalkquitestraight.NowIfeellikemyselfagain,andImaysaywithoutimmodestythatmybodyisstuffedwiththeloveliestoat-strawinallOz."Hepushedagainsthischest."Hearmecrunkle?"heasked.
"Yes,"saidDorothy;"yousoundfine."
Button-Brightwaswonderfullyattractedbythestrawman,andsowasPolly.Theshaggymantreatedhimwithgreatrespect,becausehewassoqueerlymade.
JelliaJambnowcametosaythatOzmawantedPrincessDorothytoreceivetheinvitedguestsintheThrone-Room,astheyarrived.TheRulerwasherselfbusyorderingthepreparationsforthemorrow’sfestivities,soshewishedherfriendtoactinherplace.
Dorothywillinglyagreed,beingtheonlyotherPrincessintheEmeraldCity;soshewenttothegreatThrone-RoomandsatinOzma’sseat,placingPollyononesideofherandButton-Brightontheother.
