Озма из страны Оз

           ItmighteasilyhavebeentheendofOzmaofOz,hadshebeenarealgrasshopperinsteadofanemeraldone.ButBillinafoundthegrasshopperhardandlifeless,andsuspectingitwasnotgoodtoeatshequicklydroppeditinsteadoflettingitslidedownherthroat.

           "Imighthaveknownbetter,"shemutteredtoherself,"forwherethereisnograsstherecanbenolivegrasshoppers.ThisisprobablyoneoftheKing’stransformations."

           Amomentlatersheapproachedoneofthepurpleornaments,andwhiletheQueenwatchedhercuriouslythehenbroketheNomeKing’senchantmentandasweet-facedgirl,whosegoldenhairfellinacloudoverhershoulders,stoodbesidethem.

           "Evanna!"criedtheQueen,"myownEvanna!"andsheclaspedthegirltoherbosomandcoveredherfacewithkisses.

           "That’sallright,"saidBillina,contentedly."AmIagoodguesser,Mr.NomeKing?Well,Iguess!"

           Thenshedisenchantedanothergirl,whomtheQueenaddressedasEvrose,andafterwardsaboynamedEvardo,whowasolderthanhisbrotherEvring.Indeed,theyellowhenkeptthegoodQueenexclaimingandembracingforsometime,untilfivePrincessesandfourPrinces,alllookingverymuchalikeexceptforthedifferenceinsize,stoodinarowbesidetheirhappymother.

           ThePrincesseswerenamed,Evanna,Evrose,Evella,EvireneandEvedna,whilethePrinceswereEvrob,Evington,EvardoandEvroland.OftheseEvardowastheeldestandwouldinherithisfather’sthroneandbecrownedKingofEvwhenhereturnedtohisowncountry.Hewasagraveandquietyouth,andwoulddoubtlessrulehispeoplewiselyandwithjustice.