"Why?"
His guide had a fit of laughter, and then turned to go.
"Say, what's your name?"
The answer sounded like "Muckluck."
And just then Nicholas crawled out of the tunnel-like opening leading into the council-house. He jumped up, beaming at the sight of his friend.
"Say, Nicholas, who's this fella that's always laughing, no matter what you say? Calls himself 'Muckluck.'"
The individual referred to gave way to another spasm of merriment, which infected Nicholas.
"My sister—this one," he explained.
"Oh-h!" The Boy joined in the laugh, and pulled off his Arctic cap with a bow borrowed straight from the Colonel.
"Princess Muckluck, I'm proud to know you."