If they had followed the corkscrew windings6 of the street, it would have been a long journey to the outer edge of the Pink Country, but Tourmaline took a shortcut7, leading them through private gardens and even through houses, so that they followed almost a bee line to their destination. It rained all the way and the walking was very disagreeable, but our friends were confronting an important crisis in their strange adventures, and with possible death at their journey's end, they were in no hurry to arrive there.
Once free of the City they traversed the open country, and here they often stepped into sticky, pink mud up to their ankles. Cap'n Bill's wooden leg would often go down deep and stick fast in this mud, and at such times he would be helpless until two of the Pinkies—who were a strong people—pulled him out again. The parrot was getting its feathers sadly draggled in the rain, and the poor bird soon presented a wet and woebegone appearance.
"Soak us again,
Drown us with rain!"
it muttered in a resigned tone; and then it would turn to Trot and moan, "The rose is red, the violet's blue, The Pinkies are a beastly crew!"
The country was not so trim and neatly8 kept near the edge, for it was evident the people did not care to go too near to the dangerous place. There was a row of thick bushes which concealed9 the gulf10 below, and as they approached these bushes the rain abruptly11 ceased, and the clouds began to break and drift away in the sky. "Two of you seize the girl and throw her over," said Tourmaline in a calm, matter-of-fact way, "and two others must throw the boy over. It may take four, perhaps, to lift the huge and ancient man."
"More'n that," said Cap'n Bill grimly. "I'm pretty sure it'll take all o' you, young lady, an' the chances are you won't do it then."
They had halted a short distance from the bushes, and now there suddenly appeared through a rift12 in the clouds an immense Rainbow. It was perfectly13 formed and glistened14 with a dozen or more superb tintings that were so vivid and brilliant and blended into one another so exquisitely15 that everyone paused to gaze enraptured16 upon the sight. Steadily17, yet with wonderful swiftness, the end of the great bow descended18 until it rested upon the pink field—almost at the feet of the little party of observers. Then they saw, dancing gaily19 upon the arch, a score of beautiful maidens21, dressed in fleecy robes of rainbow tints22 which fluttered around them like clouds.
"The Daughters of the Rainbow!" whispered Tourmaline in an awed23 voice, and the Witch beside her nodded and said, "Fairies of the sky. What did I tell you, Tourmaline?"
Just then one of the maidens tripped lightly down the span of the arch until near the very end, leaning over to observe the group below. She was exquisitely fair, dainty as a lily and graceful24 as a bough25 swaying in the breeze. "Why, it's Polychrome!" exclaimed Button-Bright in a voice of mingled26 wonder and delight. "Hello, Polly! Don't you remember me?"
"Of course I remember Button-Bright," replied the maiden20 in a sweet, tinkling27 voice. "The last time I saw you was in the Land of Oz."
"Oh!" cried Trot, turning to stare at the boy with big, wide-open eyes. "Were you ever in the Land of Oz?"
"Yes," he answered, still looking at the Rainbow's Daughter, and then he said appealingly, "These people want to kill us, Polly. Can't you help us?"
Polly wants a cracker!"
Polychrome straightened up and glanced at her sisters. "Tell Father to call for me in an hour or two," said she. "There is work for me to do here, for one of my old friends is in trouble."
With this she sprang lightly from the rainbow and stood beside Button-Bright and Trot, and scarcely had she left the splendid arch when it lifted and rose into the sky. The other end had been hidden in the clouds, and now the Rainbow began to fade gradually, like mist, and the sun broke through the clouds and shot its cheering rays over the Pink Country until presently the Rainbow had vanished altogether and the only reminder30 of it was the lovely Polychrome standing31 among the wondering band of Pinkies. "Tell me," she said gently to the boy, "why are you here, and why do these people of the sky wish to destroy you?"
In a few hurried words Button-Bright related their adventures with the Magic Umbrella and how the Boolooroo had stolen it and they had been obliged to escape into the Pink Country. Polychrome listened and then turned to the Queen. "Why have you decreed death to these innocent strangers?" she asked.
"They do not harmonize with our color scheme," replied Tourmaline.
"That is utter nonsense," declared Polychrome impatiently. "You're so dreadfully pink here that your color, which in itself is beautiful, had become tame and insipid32. What you really need is some sharp contrast to enhance the charm of your country, and to keep these three people here would be a benefit rather than an injury to you."
At this, the Pinkies looked downcast and ashamed, while only Rosalie the Witch laughed and seemed to enjoy the rebuke33. "But," protested Tourmaline, "the Great Book of Laws says our country shall harbor none but the Pinkies."
"Does it indeed?" asked the Rainbow's Daughter. "Come, let us return at once to your City and examine your Book of Laws. I am quite sure I can find in them absolute protection for these poor wanderers."
They dared not disobey Polychrome's request, so at once they all turned and walked back to the City. As it was still muddy underfoot, the Rainbow's Daughter took a cloak from one of the women, partly rolled it, and threw it upon the ground. Then she stepped upon it and began walking forward. The cloak unrolled as she advanced, affording a constant carpet for her feet and for those of the others who followed her. So, being protected from the mud and wet, they speedily gained the City and in a short time were all gathered in the low room of Tourmaline's palace, where the Great Book of Laws lay upon a table.
Polychrome began turning over the leaves, while the others all watched her anxiously and in silence. "Here," she said presently, "is a Law which reads as follows: 'Everyone in the Pink Country is entitled to the protection of the Ruler and to a house and a good living, except only the Blueskins. If any of the natives of the Blue Country should ever break through the Fog Bank, they must be driven back with sharp sticks.' Have you read this Law, Tourmaline?"
"Yes," said the Queen, "but how does that apply to these strangers?"
"Why, being in the Pink Country, as they surely are, and not being Blueskins, they are by this Law entitled to protection, to a home and good living. The Law does not say 'Pinkies,' it says any who are in the Pink Country."
"True," agreed Coralie, greatly pleased, and all the other Pinkies nodded their heads and repeated, "True, true!"
"The rose is red, the violet's blue,
The law's the thing, because it's true!"
cried the parrot.
"I am indeed relieved to have you interpret the Law in this way," declared Tourmaline. "I knew it was cruel to throw these poor people over the edge, but that seemed to us the only thing to be done."
"It was cruel and unjust," answered Polychrome as sternly as her sweet voice could speak. "But here," she added, for she had still continued to turn the leaves of the Great Book, "is another Law which you have also overlooked. It says, 'The person, whether man or woman, boy or girl, living in the Pink Country who has the lightest skin shall be the Ruler—King or Queen—as long as he or she lives, unless someone of a lighter34 skin is found, and this Ruler's commands all the people must obey.' Do you know this Law?"
"Oh yes," replied Tourmaline. "That is why I am the Queen. You will notice my complexion35 is of a lighter pink than that of any other of my people."
"Yes," remarked Polychrome, looking at her critically, "when you were made Queen without doubt you had the lightest-colored skin in all the Pink Country. But now you are no longer Queen of the Pinkies, Tourmaline."
Those assembled were so startled by this statement that they gazed at the Rainbow's Daughter in astonishment36 for a time. Then Tourmaline asked, "Why not, your Highness?"
"Because here is one lighter in color than yourself," pointed37 to Trot. "This girl is, by the Law of the Great Book, the rightful Queen of the Pinkies, and as loyal citizens you are all obliged to obey her commands. Give me that circlet from your brow, Tourmaline." Without hesitation38 Tourmaline removed the rose-gold circlet with its glittering jewel and handed it to Polychrome, who turned and placed it upon Trot's brow. Then she called in a loud, imperative39 voice, "Greet your new Queen, Pinkies!"
One by one they all advanced, knelt before Trot and pressed her hand to their lips. "Long live Queen Mayre!" called out Cap'n Bill, dancing around on his wooden leg in great delight. "Vive la—Vive la—ah, ah, Trot!"
"Thank you, Polly," said Button-Bright gratefully. "This will fix us all right, I'm sure."
"Why, I have done nothing," returned Polychrome, smiling upon him. "It is the Law of the Country. Isn't it surprising how little people know of their Laws? Are you all contented40, Pinkies?" she asked, turning to the people.
"We are!" they cried. Then several of the men ran out to spread the news throughout the City and Country, so that a vast crowd soon began to gather in the Court of the Statues.
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1
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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6
windings
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| （道路、河流等）蜿蜒的，弯曲的( winding的名词复数 )； 缠绕( wind的现在分词 )； 卷绕； 转动（把手） | |
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7
shortcut
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| n.近路，捷径 | |
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neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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12
rift
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| n.裂口，隙缝，切口；v.裂开，割开，渗入 | |
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13
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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14
glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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15
exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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16
enraptured
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| v.使狂喜( enrapture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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18
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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21
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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22
tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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23
awed
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| adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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25
bough
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| n.大树枝，主枝 | |
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26
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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27
tinkling
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| n.丁当作响声 | |
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cracker
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| n.（无甜味的）薄脆饼干 | |
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29
screeched
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| v.发出尖叫声( screech的过去式和过去分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
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30
reminder
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| n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示 | |
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31
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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32
insipid
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| adj.无味的，枯燥乏味的，单调的 | |
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33
rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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34
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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35
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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36
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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37
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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38
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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39
imperative
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| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
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40
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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