Lenora leaned back to look up at her. The woman was at least ten feet tall, and she wore tall heels and carried a load of books under one arm. Everything about her was thin and sharp, from the sharp tips of her high heels to the point at the end of her nose. There were even two sharpened pencils thrust through the perfect bun of brown hair on top of her head. Her lips were pursed and she looked very stern.

“Why aren’t I allowed?” asked Lenora.

“Because,” the librarian replied, “you don’t work here. You’re only allowed in this part of the library if you work here.”

Lenora thought about the nanny and shopping and the unending boredom that lay ahead of her in the back of that limo. “Can I have a job, then?”

The librarian eyed Lenora carefully. “Tell me—how did you even get in here?”

“There was a loud crack, and an archway appeared.” Lenora gestured over her shoulder. “And I just walked in.”

The librarian raised her eyebrows ever so slightly. “I see.” She looked at the arch, then back at Lenora. And after a moment’s thought, she asked, “Do you swear to follow the librarian’s oath? Do you swear to work hard? Do you swear to venture forth bravely and find the answer to any question, no matter the challenge?”

Lenora stood straight as an arrow. “I do.”

The librarian drew herself up even taller. “Do you swear to find a path for those who are lost, and to improvise and think on your feet and rely on your wits and valor?”

Lenora couldn’t help but hop up and down with excitement. “I do! I do!”

“And,” said the librarian, fixing Lenora with a severe stare, “do you swear to oppose the enemies of knowledge with all your courage and strength, wherever they might be found?”

Lenora ceased her hopping. That last part sounded like the most serious promise of all. “I do so swear,” she said solemnly.

“Then you’re hired,” said the librarian. “Come along.”

CHAPTER THREE

Lenora Takes Over

Lenora trailed after the immensely tall librarian. She seemed to be steeped in authority, and as other librarians passed by they bowed their heads in respect. Though Lenora was used to being short herself, next to this woman she felt positively miniature. Together, the librarian and Lenora went through the archway on the opposite end of the bridge, leaving behind the bustling tower of books. Lenora turned around for one last look at the spectacle.

“Come along, Lenora,” the librarian said. “There’s no time to waste in this job.”

Lenora came along. She wanted to make a good impression on her first day at work. “How do you know my name?”

“It is on your badge,” came the prim reply.

Lenora looked down. On her chest, right in front of her heart, there was a small and exquisite name badge.