The little boys thought this a capital joke.
"Why, Humpty-Dumpty was the man who sat on a wall!"
"Yes, and had a great fall—which is just what you'll do in a minute," said the Colonel to Humphrey, who had climbed up the back of his chair, and was sitting astride on the top.
"Humpty-Dumpty was an egg," said Humphrey. "I don't break so easily. Come along, Miles." And he jumped down and ran off, followed by his brother, both singing:
"Humpty-Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty-Dumpty had a great fall."
The echoes of their merry voices died away as they ran up-stairs, and the concluding words were not distinguishable.
Five minutes after, the gong sounded, and the servants filed into the library.
Humphrey was in his place by his father, Mr. Wemyss seated near, and everything ready. But Colonel Sturt had not appeared. Humphrey looked up anxiously at every sound.