“It occurs to me,” said the Wizard, “that we ought to get out of this place before the mother dragon comes back.”

“Don’t hurry,” called one of the dragonettes; “mother will be glad to meet you, I’m sure.”

“You may be right,” replied the Wizard, “but we’re a little particular about associating with strangers. Will you kindly tell us which way your mother went to get on top the earth?”

“That is not a fair question to ask us,” declared another dragonette. “For, if we told you truly, you might escape us altogether; and if we told you an untruth we would be naughty and deserve to be punished.”

“Then,” decided Dorothy, “we must find our way out the best we can.”