Путешествие в Страну Оз

           TherewerenoprivatesinOzma’sArmybecausesoldierswerenotneededtofightbattles,butonlytolookimportant,andanofficeralwayslooksmoreimposingthanaprivate.

           Whilethepeoplecheeredandwavedtheirhatsandhandkerchiefs,therecamewalkingtheRoyalPrincessOzma,lookingsoprettyandsweetthatitisnowonderherpeoplelovehersodearly.Shehaddecidedshewouldnotrideinherchariotthatday,asshepreferredtowalkintheprocessionwithherfavoredsubjectsandherguests.JustinfrontofhertrottedthelivingBlueBearRugownedbyoldDyna,whichwobbledclumsilyonitsfourfeetbecausetherewasnothingbuttheskintosupportthem,withastuffedheadatoneendandastubbytailattheother.ButwheneverOzmapausedinherwalktheBearRugwouldflopdownflatuponthegroundfortheprincesstostanduponuntilsheresumedherprogress.

           FollowingthePrincessstalkedhertwoenormousbeasts,theCowardlyLionandtheHungryTiger,andeveniftheArmyhadnotbeentherethesetwowouldhavebeenpowerfulenoughtoguardtheirmistressfromanyharm.

           Nextmarchedtheinvitedguests,whowereloudlycheeredbythepeopleofOzalongtheroad,andwerethereforeobligedtobowtorightandleftalmosteverystepoftheway.FirstwasSantaClaus,who,becausehewasfatandnotusedtowalking,rodethewonderfulSaw-Horse.Themerryoldgentlemanhadabasketofsmalltoyswithhim,andhetossedthetoysonebyonetothechildrenashepassedby.HisRylsandKnooksmarchedclosebehindhim.