Изумрудный город страны Оз

           "Hereareprisoners."

           Hearingthis,KingKleaversatupandlookedatDorothysharply.

           "Gristleandfat!"hecried."Wheredidthisgirlcomefrom?"

           "Ifoundherintheforestandbroughtherhereaprisoner,"repliedtheCaptain.

           "Whydidyoudothat?"inquiredtheKing,puffinghispipelazily.

           "Tocreatesomeexcitement,"theCaptainanswered."Itissoquietherethatweareallgettingrustyforwantofamusement.Formypart,Iprefertoseestirringtimes."

           "Naturally,"returnedthecleaver,withanod."Ihavealwayssaid,Captain,withoutabitofirony,thatyouareasterlingofficerandasolidcitizen,bowledandpolishedtoadegree.Butwhatdoyouexpectmetodowiththeseprisoners?"

           "Thatisforyoutodecide,"declaredtheCaptain."YouaretheKing."

           "Tobesure;tobesure,"mutteredthecleaver,musingly."Asyousay,wehavehaddulltimessincethesteelandgrindstoneelopedandleftus.CommandmyCounselorsandtheRoyalCourtierstoattendme,aswellastheHighPriestandtheJudge.We’llthendecidewhatcanbedone."

           TheCaptainsalutedandretiredandDorothysatdownonanoverturnedkettleandasked:

           "Haveyouanythingtoeatinyourkingdom?"

           "Here!Getup!Getofffromme!"criedafaintvoice,atwhichhisMajestythecleaversaid:

           "Excuseme,butyou’resittingonmyfriendtheTen-quartKettle."

           Dorothyatoncearose,andthekettleturnedrightsideupandlookedatherreproachfully.

           "I’mafriendoftheKing,sonoonedaressitonme,"saidhe.

           "I’dpreferachair,anyway,"shereplied.

           "Sitonthathearth,"commandedtheKing.