"Wait and see."
They crept back out of sight as Mr. Mole passed along. Then, having made a hurried whispered consultation, young Jack stepped forth alone and tackled Mr. Mole.
"Taking the air, sir?"
"Yes, Jack—hiccup—yes, my dear boy, and I have come to look out for land."
"Land?"
"Yes."
"Are we near?"
"Sho—sho—I mean so—I shpose—s'pose—"
Mr. Mole was conscious of his speech being a little bit thick, and he hastened to add that he was suffering from toothache.
"My mouth ish sho shwollen—swollen, I mean—that I can hardly sp—speak plainly," he said.