| 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 |
| 1 | 31 | 61 | 92 | 122 |
|
www.freeclassicebooks.com
But the Scoodlers were not ready to make soup yet. They led the captives into
a house at the farthest side of the cave--a house somewhat wider than the
others.
"
Who lives here?" asked the Rainbow's Daughter. The Scoodlers nearest her
replied:
"The Queen."
It made Dorothy hopeful to learn that a woman ruled over these fierce
creatures, but a moment later they were ushered by two or three of the escort
into a gloomy, bare room--and her hope died away.
For the Queen of the Scoodlers proved to be much more dreadful in
appearance than any of her people. One side of her was fiery red, with jet-
black hair and green eyes and the other side of her was bright yellow, with
crimson hair and black eyes. She wore a short skirt of red and yellow and her
hair, instead of being banged, was a tangle of short curls upon which rested a
circular crown of silver--much dented and twisted because the Queen had
thrown her head at so many things so many times. Her form was lean and
bony and both her faces were deeply wrinkled.
"
What have we here?" asked the Queen sharply, as our friends were made to
stand before her.
"
"
"
Soup!" cried the guard of Scoodlers, speaking together.
We're not!" said Dorothy, indignantly; "we're nothing of the sort."
Ah, but you will be soon," retorted the Queen, a grim smile making her look
more dreadful than before.
"
Pardon me, most beautiful vision," said the shaggy man, bowing before the
queen politely. "I must request your Serene Highness to let us go our way
without being made into soup. For I own the Love Magnet, and whoever meets
me must love me and all my friends."
"
True," replied the Queen. "We love you very much; so much that we intend to
eat your broth with real pleasure. But tell me, do you think I am so
beautiful?"
"
"
You won't be at all beautiful if you eat me," he said, shaking his head sadly.
Handsome is as handsome does, you know."
5
8
Page
Quick Jump
|