“Yes, what does ‘politically’ mean, any way?” Stephen inquired, thinking to ensnare the boy once more.
This time, however, Marmaduke answered without hesitation. “Why,” said he, “it’s an adverb, and adverbs always mean, in a manner—politically, in a political manner.”
Steve did not seem much enlightened, and Charles with a merry twinkle, asked, “Always?”
“Always!” firmly.
“Oh, then, politically ought to mean, in the manner of a policeman; abed, in the manner of a bedstead; and so on.”
Marmaduke looked aghast, and Charles the persecutor continued mercilessly: “Alongside, in the manner of a man who wears a long side.”
The neutral one was now quite discomfited, and he arose and stole back to his seat, trying to collect himself and make out what “in a manner” really signifies.
But Steve yelled after him: “And to go means in the manner of a goner.”
At this dreadful outrage it is a wonder that Words did not take to themselves a voice to howl in the offender’s ear: “We cannot all be adverbs!”
As for Marmaduke he was utterly demoralized.