"I am going no farther now," said the earwig. "I do not know the way beyond this."
"Let us turn back," said the worm.
"One more, one more!" cried Pluizer.
So on they marched.
"Everything you see exists," said Pluizer as they proceeded. "It is all real. One thing only is not real. That is yourself, Johannes. You are not here, and you cannot be here."
And he burst out laughing as he saw the frightened and vacant look on Johannes' face at this sally.
"This is the last—actually the last."
"The way stops short here. I will go no farther," said the earwig, peevishly.
"Well, I mean to go farther," said Pluizer; and where the way ended he began digging with both hands.
"Help me, Johannes!" Without resistance Johannes sadly obeyed, and began scooping up the moist, loose earth.