L.Frank Baum. The marvelous land of Oz -
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Jack for some minutes he said, in a tone of wonder:
"Where on earth did you come from, and how do you happen to be alive?
"
"I beg your Majesty's pardon," returned the Pumpkinhead; "but I do
not understand you."
"What don't you understand?" asked the Scarecrow.
"Why, I don't understand your language. You see, I came from the
Country of the Gillikins, so that I am a foreigner."
"Ah, to be sure!" exclaimed the Scarecrow. "I myself speak the
language of the Munchkins, which is also the language of the Emerald City.
But you, I suppose, speak the language of the Pumpkinheads?"
"Exactly so, your Majesty" replied the other, bowing; "so it will be
impossible for us to understand one another."
"That is unfortunate, certainly," said the Scarecrow, thoughtfully.
"We must have an interpreter."
"What is an interpreter?" asked Jack.
"A person who understands both my language and your own. When I say
anything, the interpreter can tell you what I mean; and when you say
anything the interpreter can tell me what you mean. For the interpreter
can speak both languages as well as understand them."
"That is certainly clever," said Jack, greatly pleased at finding so
simple a way out of the difficulty.
So the Scarecrow commanded the Soldier with the Green Whiskers to
search among his people until he found one who understood the language of
the Gillikins as well as the language of the Emerald City, and to bring
that person to him at once.
When the Soldier had departed the Scarecrow said:
"Won't you take a chair while we are waiting?"
"Your Majesty forgets that I cannot understand you," replied the
Pumpkinhead. "If you wish me to sit down you must make a sign for me to do
so." The Scarecrow came down from his throne and rolled an armchair to a