Davy and the Goblin / What Followed Reading 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'

by Charles E. Carryl

"Now, here's this Bandybug," the Prime Minister was saying. "What does he know about untying the knots in a cord of wood?"

"Nothing!" said the Queen, positively. "Absolutely nothing!"

"And then," continued the Prime Minister, "the idea of his presuming to tell your Gossamer Majesty that he can hear the bark of the dogwood trees"—

"Bosh!" cried the Queen. "Paint him with raspberry jam, and put him to bed in a bee-hive. That'll make him smart, at all events."

Here the Prime Minister began dancing about in an ecstasy, until the Queen knocked him over with the mullen-stalk, and shouted, "Silence! and plenty of it, too. Bring in Berrylegs."

Berrylegs, who proved to be a wiry little Fairy, with a silver coat and tight, cherry-colored trousers, was immediately brought in. His little wings fairly bristled with defiance, and his manner, as he stood before the Queen, was so impudent, that Davy felt morally certain there was going to be a scene.

"May it please your Transparent Highness,"—began Berrylegs.

"DAVY FELT MORALLY CERTAIN THERE WAS GOING TO BE A SCENE."

"Skip all that!" interrupted the Queen, flourishing her mullen-stalk.