Озма из страны Оз

           I’msureIdonotknowhowtoactinthisemergency."

           "AsktheKingwherehiskitchenis,"suggestedtheTiger."I’mhungryasabear."

           "ImightpounceupontheKingandtearhiminpieces,"remarkedtheCowardlyLion.

           "Tryit,"saidthemonarch,lightinghispipewithanotherhotcoalwhichhetookfromhispocket.

           TheLioncrouchedlowandtriedtospringupontheNomeKing;buthehoppedonlyalittlewayintotheairandcamedownagaininthesameplace,notbeingabletoapproachthethronebyevenaninch.

           "Itseemstome,"saidtheScarecrow,thoughtfully,"thatourbestplanistowheedlehisMajestyintogivinguphisslaves,sinceheistoogreatamagiciantooppose."

           "Thisisthemostsensiblethinganyofyouhavesuggested,"declaredtheNomeKing."Itisfollytothreatenme,butI’msokind-heartedthatIcannotstandcoaxingorwheedling.Ifyoureallywishtoaccomplishanythingbyyourjourney,mydearOzma,youmustcoaxme."

           "Verywell,"saidOzma,morecheerfully."Letusbefriends,andtalkthisoverinafriendlymanner."

           "Tobesure,"agreedtheKing,hiseyestwinklingmerrily.

           "Iamveryanxious,"shecontinued,"toliberatetheQueenofEvandherchildrenwhoarenowornamentsandbric-a-bracinyourMajesty’spalace,andtorestorethemtotheirpeople.Tellme,sir,howthismaybeaccomplished."

           Thekingremainedthoughtfulforamoment,afterwhichheasked:

           "Areyouwillingtotakeafewchancesandrisksyourself,inordertosetfreethepeopleofEv?"

           "Yes,indeed!"answeredOzma,eagerly