"Yes, but we're out of Keretaria," Nox reminded her cheerfully. "What's that signpost say, my girl?"
Hurrying forward, Handy squinted up at the rough board nailed to a blue spruce and then began to clench and unclench her one free fist.
"TURN HERE!"
directed the sign. "Turn here and go straight back where you came from."
"Well, I'll be buttered!" cried the Goat Girl, throwing down every one of her weapons. "I'll be churned and buttered."
"But what had we butter do?" muttered the Royal Ox, so taken aback by the saucy message that even his tongue was twisted.
"Why, we'll go straight on, of course," declared Handy Mandy, tossing her yellow plaits defiantly. "Who are whoever they are to tell us our business?" And recovering her weapons one by one, the Goat Girl tramped down the crooked lane directly ahead of them, the Royal Ox with lifted nose and horns, stepping warily behind her.
