L. Frank Baum, Creator of Oz by Katharine M. Rogers

Author:Katharine M. Rogers [Rogers, Katharine M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Literary, History, History and criticism, Literary Criticism, American, Biography & Autobiography, United States, Biography, English, Books and reading, children, Authors; American, 20th Century, Oz (Imaginary Place), Authors; American - 20th Century, Children's Stories; American
ISBN: 9780312301743
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 2002-10-08T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

WHAT HAPPENED TO SHAGGY

The Grand Dining Room of the castle was brilliantly lighted by three huge

crystal chandeliers. Each of the chandeliers flamed with more than a score

of tapering lights which were reflected shimmeringly in the alabaster

ceiling and walls. As soon as Twink, Tom and Twiffle entered the dining

room, they were espied by Queen Curtain, who motioned them to seat

themselves at her right. Queen Curtain and King Ticket occupied the head of

the table. The Lords and Ladies of the Castle were filing into the dining

room, chattering spiritedly, and all handsomely gowned and garbed. In a few

minutes all were seated. There were a few curious glances at the three

strangers at the table, but for the most part the Lords and Ladies of the

Valley of Romance were far too excited over the play they were to witness

that evening to give more than a passing glance to the children and the

little clown.

The meal passed through many delicious and elaborate courses with no

incidents. Queen Curtain played the charming host, occasionally tossing

pleasant remarks to the children and Twiffle. Poor Lady Cue put salt in her

tea instead of sugar, but she drank the entire cup without seeming to

notice her mistake. "Perhaps she really likes it that way," Twink whispered

to Tom.

At the end of the meal, King Ticket rose and addressed the assemblage

solemnly. "The moment has come for which we have prepared these many days.

We will now pass into the theater for the first performance of the new

play." No one spoke. This apparently was an important moment. The only

sound in the vast dining room was the rustling of the ladies' skirts and

the patter of footsteps on the alabaster floor.

Queen Curtain took Twink by the hand, and Tom and Twiffle followed into the

theater. It was brilliantly lighted as the Lords and Ladies settled into

their seats. A few of them hurried backstage C4 they were the ones who

worked the scenery and otherwise aided in the presentation of the play.

Twink, Tom and Twiffle found themselves seated in the Royal Box with King

Ticket and Queen Curtain. The houselights dimmed, the curtains went up, and

with no preliminaries the play was under way.

Two actors walked woodenly forward on the stage. They were dressed in what

Twink and Tom could tell was supposed to be armor, but was obviously

kitchen utensils strung together and about to fall off. From the words they

were saying, the two knights seemed to be getting very angry with one

another. But they looked at the audience instead of looking at each other,

and spoke their lines in a dazed, unexcited way as though they were talking

in their sleep. Impossible as it seemed from their lack of action, it

became apparent that they were so enraged they had decided to fight out in

a tournament their quarrel over a lady. Oh yes, there she was at the side

of the stage, paying no attention at all to the knights.

The tournament scene came next. The knights in their pots and pans were

mounted on extraordinary horses. Each was made up of two men covered with

tufted candlewick bedspreads. They too moved about the stage in a slow and

sleepy way.

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