Волшебник страны Оз
The Guardian of the Gate
SoDorothysaidgood-byetoallherfriendsexceptToto,andtakingthedoginherarmsfollowedthegreengirlthroughsevenpassagesandupthreeflightsofstairsuntiltheycametoaroomatthefrontofthePalace. Itwasthesweetestlittleroomintheworld,withasoftcomfortablebedthathadsheetsofgreensilkandagreenvelvetcounterpane. Therewasatinyfountaininthemiddleoftheroom,thatshotasprayofgreenperfumeintotheair,tofallbackintoabeautifullycarvedgreenmarblebasin. Beautifulgreenflowersstoodinthewindows,andtherewasashelfwitharowoflittlegreenbooks. WhenDorothyhadtimetoopenthesebooksshefoundthemfullofqueergreenpicturesthatmadeherlaugh,theyweresofunny.
Inawardrobeweremanygreendresses,madeofsilkandsatinandvelvet;andallofthemfittedDorothyexactly.
"Makeyourselfperfectlyathome,"saidthegreengirl,"andifyouwishforanythingringthebell. Ozwillsendforyoutomorrowmorning."
SheleftDorothyaloneandwentbacktotheothers. Theseshealsoledtorooms,andeachoneofthemfoundhimselflodgedinaverypleasantpartofthePalace. OfcoursethispolitenesswaswastedontheScarecrow; forwhenhefoundhimselfaloneinhisroomhestoodstupidlyinonespot,justwithinthedoorway,towaittillmorning. Itwouldnotresthimtoliedown,andhecouldnotclosehiseyes; soheremainedallnightstaringatalittlespiderwhichwasweavingitswebinacorneroftheroom,justasifitwerenotoneofthemostwonderfulroomsintheworld. TheTinWoodmanlaydownonhisbedfromforceofhabit,forherememberedwhenhewasmadeofflesh; butnotbeingabletosleep,hepassedthenightmovinghisjointsupanddowntomakesuretheykeptingoodworkingorder.
