return up two levels?

[Ray Andrews <rayandrews@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Didn't I read somewhere that one can return from a function 'up two 
levels'? i.e. that if function1 calls function2, that function2 can 
return both itself and function1? I have a helper function that might 
want to return to the calling function, or might want to return right 
back  to the shell. Of course I can do this with with return value tests 
within the calling function, but it would be nice if the helper function 
could handle it internally. Is it possible? 'exit' kills the shell 
itself, so it's too aggressive.