Dorothy left Bunbury the same way she had entered it and when they were
in the forest again she said to Billina:
"I never thought that things good to eat could be so dis'gree'ble."
"Often I've eaten things that tasted good but were disagreeable
afterward," returned the Yellow Hen. "I think, 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 a sigh. "But what
shall we do now?"
"Let us follow the path back to the signpost," suggested Billina.
"That will be better than getting lost again."
"Why, we're lost anyhow," declared Dorothy; "but I guess you're right
about going back to that signpost, Billina."
They returned along the path to the place where they had first found
it, and at once took "the other road" to Bunnybury. This road was a
mere narrow strip, worn hard and smooth but not wide enough for
Dorothy's feet to tread. Still, it was a guide, and the walking
through the forest was not at all difficult.
Before long they reached a high wall of solid white marble, and the
path came to an end at this wall.
At first Dorothy thought there was no opening at all in the marble, but
on looking closely she discovered a small square door about on a level
with her head, and underneath this closed door was a bell-push. Near
the bell-push a sign was painted in neat letters upon the marble, and
the sign read: