We left the Crocodile then and went back to luncheon—after which we set out for the House of Words.
We found that quite a lot of Creatures were waiting in the lobby for the doors to open.
There was the Doctor-in-Law, telling a funny story to the Pig, for which he afterwards made a charge of one pound nineteen and elevenpence, describing it as Professional Attendance—and wording the bill as follows:
| To One pig, one guinea (guinea-pig), | £1 | 1 | 0 |
| “Laugh and grow fat,” one joke, | 0 | 6 | 8 |
| ———— | |||
| £1 | 19 | 11 | |
And to the Mole, who happened to overhear the joke, he made another charge; but the Mole got out of paying for it on the plea that he couldn’t see it; but whether he meant the bill or the joke I could never find out, Moles are notoriously blind.
Oom-Hi was there and the Turtle too, and A. Fish, Esq., listened, open-mouthed, while they discussed the state of affairs.
The Cockatoo, irrepressible as ever, held forth on the subject of Socialism to an interested audience, consisting of the Crocodile and the Rabbit. While the Crow filled in a few spare moments by interviewing the Pelican. The Creatures stood aside very politely to allow his Majesty and myself to enter, Kis-Smee growling ominously at the Cockatoo, who screamed, “Down with domestic animals,” as he passed. This remark of hers gave offense to the Pig also, who demanded to know if she was referring to him.
Oom-Hi was there and the Turtle too, and A. Fish, Esq., listened, open-mouthed, while they discussed the state of affairs.— [Page 192].