Смарагдове місто країни Оз
19. How Bunnybury Welcomed the Strangers
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.