Волшебник страны Оз
The Guardian of the Gate
"WhyshouldIgiveyoucourage?"demandedOz.
"BecauseofallWizardsyouarethegreatest,andalonehavepowertograntmyrequest,"answeredtheLion.
TheBallofFireburnedfiercelyforatime,andthevoicesaid, "BringmeproofthattheWickedWitchisdead,andthatmomentIwillgiveyoucourage. ButaslongastheWitchlives,youmustremainacoward."
TheLionwasangryatthisspeech,butcouldsaynothinginreply,andwhilehestoodsilentlygazingattheBallofFireitbecamesofuriouslyhotthatheturnedtailandrushedfromtheroom. Hewasgladtofindhisfriendswaitingforhim,andtoldthemofhisterribleinterviewwiththeWizard.
"Whatshallwedonow?"askedDorothysadly.
"Thereisonlyonethingwecando,"returnedtheLion, "andthatistogotothelandoftheWinkies,seekouttheWickedWitch,anddestroyher."
"Butsupposewecannot?"saidthegirl.
"ThenIshallneverhavecourage,"declaredtheLion.
"AndIshallneverhavebrains,"addedtheScarecrow.
"AndIshallneverhaveaheart,"spoketheTinofWoodman.
"AndIshallneverseeAuntEmandUncleHenry,"saidDorothy,beginningtocry.
"Becareful!"criedthegreengirl. "Thetearswillfallonyourgreensilkgownandspotit."
