Olejoe, proud of his accomplishments, spoke his lines.
"Ho! noble dook," he bleated, "draw near——"
"Come down out of that," said the Duke peevishly, "go into the kitchen."
"If," said Olejoe taking off his crown politely, "I've said anything that's given offence——"
"Go to the devil," said the Duke.
The king retired hurriedly.
Not a word was spoken till he had departed, then:
"I'm disengaged," said the Duke bitterly.
"My dear old feller!" expostulated Tuppy.
"I'm disengaged," repeated the Duke. He looked round for a seat. The throne invited him and he mounted its wooden steps.