Волшебник страны Оз

           Shewasthinandgaunt,andneversmilednow. WhenDorothy,whowasanorphan,firstcametoher, AuntEmhadbeensostartledbythechild’slaughterthatshewouldscreamandpressherhanduponherheartwheneverDorothy’smerryvoicereachedherears; andshestilllookedatthelittlegirlwithwonder thatshecouldfindanythingtolaughat. 

           UncleHenryneverlaughed. Heworkedhardfrommorningtillnightanddidnotknowwhatjoywas. Hewasgrayalso,fromhislongbeardtohisroughboots, andhelookedsternandsolemn,andrarelyspoke. 

           ItwasTotothatmadeDorothylaugh, andsavedherfromgrowingasgrayasherothersurroundings. Totowasnotgray; hewasalittleblackdog,withlongsilkyhair andsmallblackeyesthattwinkledmerrilyoneithersideofhisfunny,weenose. Totoplayedalldaylong,andDorothyplayedwithhim,andlovedhimdearly. 

           Today,however,theywerenotplaying. UncleHenrysatuponthedoorstepandlookedanxiouslyatthesky, whichwasevengrayerthanusual. DorothystoodinthedoorwithTotoinherarms,andlookedattheskytoo. AuntEmwaswashingthedishes. 

           Fromthefarnorththeyheardalowwailofthewind, andUncleHenryandDorothycouldseewherethelonggrassbowedinwavesbeforethecomingstorm. Therenowcameasharpwhistlingintheairfromthesouth, andastheyturnedtheireyesthatwaytheysawripplesinthegrasscomingfromthatdirectionalso. 

           SuddenlyUncleHenrystoodup.