‘No. That would not be the same knot. I should remember something quite different, which I might not like at all. That would never do.’
‘One, two, three,’ said Mrs. Noah, beating time, and they all began to sing:
‘Never do, never do,
Never, never, never do.’
Most of the animals in the ark joined in, and they sang it to a quantity of different tunes. David found himself singing too, but the only tune he could remember was ‘Rule Britannia,’ which didn’t fit the words very well. By degrees the others stopped singing, and David was left quite alone to finish his verse feeling rather shy, but knowing that he had to finish it whatever happened. When he had done, Noah heaved a deep sigh.
‘That is the loveliest thing I ever heard in my life,’ he said. ‘Are you open to an engagement to sing in the ark every evening? Matinées of course, as well, for which you would have to pay extra.’
This was a very gratifying proposal, but David did not quite understand about the paying.
‘I should have to pay?’ he asked.
‘Why, of course. You’d have to pay a great deal for a voice like that. You mustn’t dream of singing like that for nothing. It would fill the ark.’
‘I should say it would empty it,’ said Mrs. Noah snappishly.