For after Dorothy and her companions had started on their trip, Ozma was occupied affairs of her kingdom Then she began of some manner of occupation for Uncle Henry and Aunt Em light and easy and yet give the old people something

She soon decided Uncle Henry the Keeper Jewels, for some one really was needed to count and look bins and barrels of emeralds, diamonds, rubies and other precious stones that were Royal Storehouses keep Uncle Henry busy enough, but harder something for Aunt Em The palace was full of servants, so no detail of housework that Aunt Em could look after

While Ozma sat in her pretty room engaged in thought she happened to glance at her Magic Picture

important treasures in all the Land of Oz large picture, set in beautiful gold frame, and it hung in prominent place upon wall of Ozma's private room

Usually this picture seemed merely country scene, but whenever Ozma looked at it and wished what any of her friends or acquaintances were doing, the magic wonderful picture was straightway disclosed country scene would gradually fade away and in its place would appear the likeness person or persons Ozma might wish , surrounded actual scenes they were then placed the Princess could view any part world she wished, and watch the actions of in whom she was interested

Ozma had often seen Dorothy in her Kansas home by , and now, having little leisure, she expressed desire her little friend again while the travelers were at Fuddlecumjig, and Ozma laughed merrily as she watched picture her friends trying to match the pieces of Grandmother Gnit

"They seem happy doubtless having ," the girl Ruler said to herself; and then she began many adventures she herself had encountered with Dorothy

The image of her friends now faded Magic Picture old landscape slowly reappeared

Ozma was thinking time when with Dorothy and her army she marched Nome King's underground cavern, beyond the Land of Ev, and forced the old monarch to liberate his captives, who belonged Royal Family of Ev That time Scarecrow nearly frightened the Nome King into fits by throwing one of Billina's eggs at him, and Dorothy had captured King Roquat's Magic Belt and brought it away with her Land of Oz

The pretty Princess smiled recollection adventure, and then she wondered what had become Nome King since then Merely because she was curious and had nothing better , Ozma glanced Magic Picture and wished the King Nomes

Roquat the Red went every day into his tunnel how the work was getting along and to hurry his workmen as possible there now, and Ozma saw him plainly Magic Picture

She saw the underground tunnel, reaching far underneath the Deadly Desert which separated the Land of Oz mountains beneath which the Nome King had his extensive caverns She saw tunnel was being made direction Emerald City, and knew at once being dug so army of Nomes could march through it and attack her own beautiful and peaceful country

"I suppose King Roquat is planning revenge against us," she said, musingly, "and thinks surprise us and make us his captives and slaves How sad it such wicked thoughts ! But not blame King Roquat too severely, for Nome, nature so gentle as my own "

Then she dismissed from her mind further thought tunnel, for , and began to wonder if Aunt Em happy as Royal Mender Stockings Ruler of Oz Ozma wore few holes in her stockings; still, they sometimes needed mending Aunt Em to very nicely

, the Princess watched the tunnel again in her Magic Picture, and every day afterward she devoted to inspecting the work not especially interesting, but she felt her duty

Slowly but surely the big, arched hole crept rocks underneath the deadly desert, and day by day it drew nearer and nearer Emerald City

19 How Bunnybury Welcomed the Strangers

Dorothy left Bunbury the same way she had entered it and were forest again she said to Billina:

"I never thought that things good to eat so dis'gree'ble "

"Often I've eaten things that tasted good but were disagreeable afterward," returned the Yellow Hen " , Dorothy, if eatables are going to act badly, it's better before than after you eat them "

"P'raps you're right," said the little girl, with sigh "But what shall now ? "

" follow the path back signpost," suggested Billina " better than getting lost again "

"Why, we're lost anyhow," declared Dorothy; "but I guess you're right about going back signpost, Billina "

They returned along the path place where they had first found it, and at once took "the other road" to Bunnybury This road was mere narrow strip, worn hard and smooth but not wide enough for Dorothy's feet to tread Still, guide, walking forest was not at all difficult

Before long they reached high wall of solid white marble, path came to an end wall

At first Dorothy thought no opening at all marble, but on looking closely she discovered small square door about on level with her head, and underneath this closed door was bell-push Near the bell-push sign was painted in neat letters marble, sign read:

NO ADMITTANCE

EXCEPT ON BUSINESS

discourage Dorothy, however, and she rang the bell

Pretty soon bolt was cautiously withdrawn marble door swung slowly open Then she saw not really door, but window, for several brass bars were placed across it, being set fast marble and so close together little girl's fingers might barely go Back bars appeared the face of white rabbit--a very sober and sedate face--with an eye-glass held left eye and attached to cord button-hole

"Well ! it ? " asked the rabbit, sharply

"I'm Dorothy," said the girl, "and I'm lost, and--"

"State your business, please," interrupted the rabbit

"My business," she replied, "is out where , and to--"

"No one is allowed in Bunnybury without an order or letter of introduction from either Ozma of Oz or Glinda the Good," announced the rabbit; " settles the matter," and he started to close the window

"Wait minute ! " cried Dorothy "I've got letter from Ozma "

" Ruler of Oz ? " asked the rabbit, doubtingly

" Ozma's my best friend, ; and I'm Princess myself," she announced, earnestly

"Hum--ha ! Let me see your letter," returned the rabbit, he still doubted her

So she hunted in her pocket and found the letter Ozma had given her Then she handed it bars rabbit, who took it paws and opened it He read it aloud in pompous voice, to let Dorothy and Billina see that educated and could read writing The letter was as follows:

" please me my subjects greet Princess Dorothy, the bearer royal missive, same courtesy and consideration extend "

"Ha--hum ! signed 'Ozma of Oz,'" continued the rabbit, " sealed Great Seal Emerald City Well, well, well ! How strange ! How remarkable ! "

" you going ? " inquired Dorothy, impatiently

" obey the royal mandate," replied the rabbit " subjects of Ozma of Oz, and we live in her country Also under the protection great Sorceress Glinda the Good, 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 moment afterward big door wall opened and admitted Dorothy to small room, which seemed part wall and built

Here stood the rabbit she talking with, and now that she all of him, she gazed creature in surprise good sized white rabbit with pink eyes, much like all other white rabbits But the astonishing thing about him manner dressed He wore 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 jacket, were baggy knees--like those of zouave--being tied with knots of rose ribbons His shoes were of white plush with diamond buckles, stockings were rose silk

The richness and even magnificence rabbit's clothing made Dorothy stare little creature wonderingly Toto and Billina had followed her room and when them the rabbit ran to table and sprang upon it nimbly Then he looked three through his monocle and said:

"These companions, Princess, cannot enter Bunnybury "

" ? " asked Dorothy

" first place frighten our people, who dislike dogs above all things on earth; and, secondly, the letter Royal Ozma mention them "

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

"Not ," said the rabbit, decidedly "You, yourself, Princess, are welcome visitor, since you come so highly recommended; but unless you consent to leave the dog hen room permit you to enter the town "

"Never mind us, Dorothy," said Billina "Go inside what the place is like tell us afterward, and Toto rest comfortably here until you return "