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"
Never mind us, Dorothy," said Billina. "Go inside and see what the
place is like. You can tell us about it afterward, and Toto and I will rest
comfortably here until you return."
This seemed the best thing to do, for Dorothy was curious to see how the
rabbit people lived and she was aware of the fact that her friends might
frighten the timid little creatures. She had not forgotten how Toto and
Billina had misbehaved in Bunbury, and perhaps the rabbit was wise to
insist on their staying outside the town.
"
Very well," she said, "I'll go in alone. I s'pose you're the King of this
town, aren't you?"
"
No," answered the rabbit, "I'm merely the Keeper of the Wicket, and a
person of little importance, although I try to do my duty. I must now
inform you, Princess, that before you enter our town you must consent to
reduce."
"
Reduce what?" asked Dorothy.
"
Your size. You must become the size of the rabbits, although you may
retain your own form."
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
Wouldn't my clothes be too big for me?" she inquired.
No; they will reduce when your body does."
Can YOU make me smaller?" asked the girl.
Easily," returned the rabbit.
And will you make me big again, when I'm ready to go away?"
I will," said he.
All right, then; I'm willing," she announced.
The rabbit jumped from the table and ran--or rather hopped--to the
further wall, where he opened a door so tiny that even Toto could
scarcely have crawled through it.
"
Follow me," he said.
Now, almost any other little girl would have declared that she could not
get through so small a door; but Dorothy had already encountered so
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