dorothy and the wizard in oz-第27部分
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breakfast； so I crept into the room where it was kept while the
Princess was dressing and hid myself under a chair。 When Ozma went
away she closed the door and left her pet on the table。 At once I
jumped up and told the piglet not to make a fuss； for he would be
inside of me in half a second； but no one can teach one of these
creatures to be reasonable。 Instead of keeping still； so I could eat
him comfortably； he trembled so with fear that he fell off the table
into a big vase that was standing on the floor。 The vase had a very
small neck； and spread out at the top like a bowl。 At first the
piglet stuck in the neck of the vase and I thought I should get him；
after all； but he wriggled himself through and fell down into the deep
bottom partand I suppose he's there yet。〃
All were astonished at this confession； and Ozma at once sent an
officer to her room to fetch the vase。 When he returned the Princess
looked down the narrow neck of the big ornament and discovered her
lost piglet； just as Eureka had said she would。
There was no way to get the creature out without breaking the vase； so
the Tin Woodman smashed it with his axe and set the little prisoner free。
Then the crowd cheered lustily and Dorothy hugged the kitten in her
arms and told her how delighted she was to know that she was innocent。
〃But why didn't you tell us at first？〃 she asked。
〃It would have spoiled the fun；〃 replied the kitten； yawning。
Ozma gave the Wizard back the piglet he had so kindly allowed Nick
Chopper to substitute for the lost one； and then she carried her own
into the apartments of the palace where she lived。 And now； the trial
being over； the good citizens of the Emerald City scattered to their
homes； well content with the day's amusement。
20。 Zeb Returns to the Ranch
Eureka was much surprised to find herself in disgrace； but she was； in
spite of the fact that she had not eaten the piglet。 For the folks of
Oz knew the kitten had tried to commit the crime； and that only an
accident had prevented her from doing so； therefore even the Hungry
Tiger preferred not to associate with her。 Eureka was forbidden to
wander around the palace and was made to stay in confinement in
Dorothy's room； so she began to beg her mistress to send her to some
other place where she could enjoy herself better。
Dorothy was herself anxious to get home； so she promised Eureka they
would not stay in the Land of Oz much longer。
The next evening after the trial the little girl begged Ozma to allow
her to look in the enchanted picture； and the Princess readily
consented。 She took the child to her room and said： 〃Make your wish；
dear； and the picture will show the scene you desire to behold。〃
Then Dorothy found； with the aid of the enchanted picture； that Uncle
Henry had returned to the farm in Kansas； and she also saw that both
he and Aunt Em were dressed in mourning； because they thought their
little niece had been killed by the earthquake。
〃Really；〃 said the girl； anxiously； 〃I must get back as soon as
poss'ble to my own folks。〃
Zeb also wanted to see his home； and although he did not find anyone
morning for him； the sight of Hugson's Ranch in the picture made him
long to get back there。
〃This is a fine country； and I like all the people that live in it；〃
he told Dorothy。 〃But the fact is； Jim and I don't seem to fit into a
fairyland； and the old horse has been begging me to go home again ever
since he lost the race。 So； if you can find a way to fix it； we'll be
much obliged to you。〃
〃Ozma can do it； easily；〃 replied Dorothy。 〃Tomorrow morning I'll go
to Kansas and you can go to Californy。〃
That last evening was so delightful that the boy will never forget it
as long as he lives。 They were all together （except Eureka） in the
pretty rooms of the Princess； and the Wizard did some new tricks； and
the Scarecrow told stories； and the Tin Woodman sang a love song in a
sonorous； metallic voice； and everybody laughed and had a good time。
Then Dorothy wound up Tik…tok and he danced a jig to amuse the
company； after which the Yellow Hen related some of her adventures
with the Nome King in the Land of Ev。
The Princess served delicious refreshments to those who were in the
habit of eating； and when Dorothy's bed time arrived the company
separated after exchanging many friendly sentiments。
Next morning they all assembled for the final parting； and many of the
officials and courtiers came to look upon the impressive ceremonies。
Dorothy held Eureka in her arms and bade her friends a fond good…bye。
〃You must come again； some time；〃 said the little Wizard； and she
promised she would if she found it possible to do so。
〃But Uncle Henry and Aunt Em need me to help them；〃 she added； 〃so I
can't ever be very long away from the farm in Kansas。〃
Ozma wore the Magic Belt； and； when she had kissed Dorothy farewell
and had made her wish； the little girl and her kitten disappeared
in a twinkling。
〃Where is she？〃 asked Zeb； rather bewildered by the suddenness of it。
〃Greeting her uncle and aunt in Kansas； by this time；〃 returned Ozma；
with a smile。
Then Zeb brought out Jim； all harnessed to the buggy； and took his seat。
〃I'm much obliged for all your kindness；〃 said the boy； 〃and very
grateful to you for saving my life and sending me home again after all
the good times I've had。 I think this is the loveliest country in the
world； but not being fairies Jim and I feel we ought to be where we
belongand that's at the ranch。 Good…bye； everybody！〃
He gave a start and rubbed his eyes。 Jim was trotting along the
well…known road； shaking his ears and whisking his tail with a
contented motion。 Just ahead of them were the gates of Hugson's
Ranch； and Uncle Hugson now came out and stood with uplifted arms and
wide open mouth； staring in amazement。
〃Goodness gracious！ It's Zeband Jim； too！〃 he exclaimed。 〃Where in
the world have you been； my lad？〃
〃Why； in the world； Uncle；〃 answered Zeb； with a laugh。
The End
