“Right, sir,” answered the Soldiers.
“Now to drill,” he continued sharply. “Attention! Eyes right, eyes left; right movement, left movement; swords out, swords in! Mark—time!”
This last command they were obliged to obey with their heads, their feet being tightly gummed on to the platform. So tightly gummed that they could not get free even when Mortals were not present, and all the Toys were at liberty to speak, walk, and talk. Indeed, nothing but a strong blow could possibly loosen them from their position.
Therefore, when they marched or even took a simple walk they were obliged to march or walk in a body, taking the platform with them. Again, if the Commanding-officer granted leave of absence to one, he was obliged to grant it to all, even to himself, otherwise no one could have taken it.
“Come,” said the Officer to the Elephant one day, “you are a bright beast. Let me propound you a mathematical problem. If a herring and a half cost three halfpence, how much would six herrings cost?”
“Just as much as they ought to, if you went to an honest fishmonger,” answered the Elephant.
The Officer and his men laughed loudly.
“Capital, capital!” said the bully. “If you distinguish yourself in this way we shall have to make you Mathematical Instructor-in-General to the whole army.”
But the Elephant made no reply.
“That’s the thickest-skinned animal I ever met,” said the Officer to his men.