"He's having a fit," said Hortense.
"A snug fit," said Alligator grimly. "He'll get used to it after a while."
Hortense and Andy were quite silent as they slowly followed Alligator down the stairs.
"It's rather horrible," Hortense whispered to Andy, "although I didn't like Jeremiah."
"I think I'll go home," said Andy.
In the hall below they found all the rest.
"Where have you been keeping yourselves?" said Owl irritably. "Ember's It, and we've waited ever so long."
"Alligator's swallowed Jeremiah," said Hortense.
"Served him right," said Owl, but Coal and Ember backed off as though fearing their turn would be next. Lowboy was sober for once.
"I want to go home," whimpered Highboy.