"Of course," replied the Bluefinch. "Ugu the Shoemaker did that."
"But why? And how was it enchanted? And what will happen to one who eats it?" questioned the boy.
"Ask Ugu the Shoemaker; he knows," said the bird, pruning its feathers with its bill.
"And who is Ugu the Shoemaker?"
"The one who enchanted the peach, and placed it here—in the exact center of the Great Orchard—so no one would ever find it. We birds didn't dare to eat it; we are too wise for that. But you are Button-Bright, from the Emerald City, and you—you—YOU ate the enchanted peach! You must explain to Ugu the Shoemaker why you did that."
And then, before the boy could ask any more questions, the bird flew away and left him alone.
Button-Bright was not much worried to find that the peach he had eaten was enchanted. It certainly had tasted very good and his stomach didn't ache a bit. So again he began to reflect upon the best way to rejoin his friends.
"Whichever direction I follow is likely to be the wrong one," he said to himself, "so I'd better stay just where I am and let them find me—if they can."
A White Rabbit came hopping through the orchard and paused a little way off to look at him.
"Don't be afraid," said Button-Bright; "I won't hurt you."