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We must obey the royal mandate," replied the rabbit. "We are subjects

of Ozma of Oz, and we live in her country. Also we are under the

protection of the great Sorceress Glinda the Good, who made us promise

to respect Ozma's commands."

Then may I come in?" she asked.

I'll open the door," said the rabbit. He shut the window and

disappeared, but a moment afterward a big door in the wall opened and

admitted Dorothy to a small room, which seemed to be a part of the wall

and built into it.

Here stood the rabbit she had been talking with, and now that she could

see all of him, she gazed at the creature in surprise. He was a good sized

white rabbit with pink eyes, much like all other white rabbits. But the

astonishing thing about him was the manner in which he was dressed.

He wore a white satin jacket embroidered with gold, and having diamond

buttons. His vest was rose-colored satin, with tourmaline buttons. His

trousers were white, to correspond with the jacket, and they were baggy

at the knees--like those of a zouave--being tied with knots of rose

ribbons. His shoes were of white plush with diamond buckles, and his

stockings were rose silk.

The richness and even magnificence of the rabbit's clothing made

Dorothy stare at the little creature wonderingly. Toto and Billina had

followed her into the room and when he saw them the rabbit ran to a

table and sprang upon it nimbly. Then he looked at the three through

his monocle and said:

These companions, Princess, cannot enter Bunnybury with you."

Why not?" asked Dorothy.

In the first place they would frighten our people, who dislike dogs above

all things on earth; and, secondly, the letter of the Royal Ozma does not

mention them."

But they're my friends," persisted Dorothy, "and go wherever I go."

Not this time," said the rabbit, decidedly. "You, yourself, Princess, are a

welcome visitor, since you come so highly recommended; but unless you

consent to leave the dog and the hen in this room I cannot permit you to

enter the town."

The Emerald City of Oz