'Let us turn back,' said the worm.
'One more, one more!' cried Pluizer.
So on they went.
'Everything you see here, actually exists,' said Pluizer, as they made their way forward. 'It is all real. One thing only is not real, and that is yourself, Johannes. You are not here; you cannot come here.'
And he laughed maliciously as he saw Johannes's terrified and bewildered face at these words.
'This is the last, positively the last.'
'The way stops here. I am going no further,' said the ear-wig crossly.
'I will go further,' said Pluizer; and where the path ended he began grubbing the earth with both hands.
'Help me, Johannes.'
And Johannes, submissive with wretchedness, obeyed, scratching away the fine damp soil. Silent and breathless they worked away till they came to the black wood.