although it looked even grayer in the daytime than it looked at night, the travelers were too hungry to be particular. A large placard was posted just inside:
THIS IS POKES!
DON'T RUN!
DON'T SING!
TALK SLOWLY!
DON'T WHISTLE!
Order of the Chief Poker.
read Dorothy. "How cheerful! Hah, hoh, hum-mm!"
"Don't!" begged the Cowardly Lion, with tears in his eyes. "If I yawn again I'll swallow my tail, and if I don't have something to eat soon I'll do it anyway. Let's hurry! There's something queer about this place, Dorothy! Ah, hah, hoh, hum-mm!"
Stifling their yawns, the two started down the long narrow street. The houses were of gray stone, tall and stiff with tiny barred windows. It was absolutely quiet and not a person was in sight. But when they turned the corner they saw a crowd of queer looking people creeping toward them. These singular individuals stopped between each step and stood perfectly still, and Dorothy was so surprised at their unusual appearance that she laughed right in the middle of a yawn.
72
