"If you mean it's very bad, I agree with you," said Thomas.
"I made it up myself. It was thought that my part should be livened up a little."
"Well, why hasn't it been?"
"If you will give me two minutes, Simpson," I said, "I will liven up my own part better than that. What rhymes with rat-catcher?"
"Cat-catcher."
"Wait a bit.... Yes, that's got it.
"'Oh, I'm on the Emperor's staff
I'm a rodent-collector (don't laugh)—
My record (in braces)
Of rats and their races
Is a thousand and eight and a half.'"
"May we have that again?" said Myra, appearing suddenly.
"'Oh, I'm on——'"
"No," said Thomas.