Изумрудный город страны Оз

           Thenshesawitwasnotreallyadoor,butawindow,forseveralbrassbarswereplacedacrossit,beingsetfastinthemarbleandsoclosetogetherthatthelittlegirl’sfingersmightbarelygobetweenthem.Backofthebarsappearedthefaceofawhiterabbit--averysoberandsedateface--withaneye-glassheldinhislefteyeandattachedtoacordinhisbutton-hole.

           "Well!whatisit?"askedtherabbit,sharply.

           "I’mDorothy,"saidthegirl,"andI’mlost,and--"

           "Stateyourbusiness,please,"interruptedtherabbit.

           "Mybusiness,"shereplied,"istofindoutwhereIam,andto--"

           "NooneisallowedinBunnyburywithoutanorderoraletterofintroductionfromeitherOzmaofOzorGlindatheGood,"announcedtherabbit;"sothatsettlesthematter,"andhestartedtoclosethewindow.

           "Waitaminute!"criedDorothy."I’vegotaletterfromOzma."

           "FromtheRulerofOz?"askedtherabbit,doubtingly.

           "Ofcourse.Ozma’smybestfriend,youknow;andI’maPrincessmyself,"sheannounced,earnestly.

           "Hum--ha!Letmeseeyourletter,"returnedtherabbit,asifhestilldoubtedher.

           SoshehuntedinherpocketandfoundtheletterOzmahadgivenher.Thenshehandeditthroughthebarstotherabbit,whotookitinhispawsandopenedit.Hereaditaloudinapompousvoice,asiftoletDorothyandBillinaseethathewaseducatedandcouldreadwriting.Theletterwasasfollows:

           "ItwillpleasemetohavemysubjectsgreetPrincessDorothy,thebearerofthisroyalmissive,withthesamecourtesyandconsiderationtheywouldextendtome.