The Dodo sobbed; and Marjorie, who was greatly concerned, began: “Oh, please——”
But the Court Glover was inexorable, and murmured solemnly, “In one hour’s time—here,” he walked off towards the balloon, followed by the Executioner, who was giggling idiotically, and had to stuff a handkerchief into his mouth to prevent himself from laughing outright.
“Inhuman wretch—there!” said Marjorie, bursting into tears, while the Dodo’s friends assisted him up from the ground, where he was lying in a half-fainting condition.
“Bear up, old man,” said the Archæopteryx, sympathetically, fanning him with his tail.
“When did he say?” inquired the Dodo, faintly.
“In an hour’s time,” said Dick, sadly.
The Dodo shuddered.
“Stop!” said the Eterædarium, suddenly. “I think I have found a way out of the difficulty.”
“Oh! what is it? What is it?” cried the Dodo, eagerly; while the others all crowded round to hear what the Eterædarium had to say.