But she sent for Mombi, and told her what Glinda had said.
"I see trouble ahead for all of us," muttered the old witch, after glancing
into a magic mirror she carried in her pocket. "But we may even yet escape
by deceiving this sorceress, clever as she thinks herself."
"Don't you think it will be safer for me to deliver you into her hands?"
asked Jinjur, nervously.
"If you do, it will cost you the throne of the Emerald City!" answered the
witch, positively. "But if you will let me have my own way, I can save us
both very easily."
"Then do as you please," replied Jinjur, "for it is so aristocratic to be a
Queen that I do not wish to be obliged to return home again, to make beds
and wash dishes for my mother."
So Mombi called Jellia Jamb to her, and performed a certain magical rite
with which she was familiar. As a result of the enchantment Jellia took on
the form and features of Mombi, while the old witch grew to resemble the
girl so closely that it seemed impossible anyone could guess the deception.
251
"Now," said old Mombi to the Queen, "let your soldiers deliver up this girl
to Glinda. She will think she has the real Mombi in her power, and so will
return immediately to her own country in the South.
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