The Panjandrum and suite passed along.
“What a funny language,” whispered Marjorie. “I wonder what they are talking about?”
“Semlifee—dobbel—bingle—bingle—boff,” cried the Ambassador, lifting up one leg, while the Dodo painfully followed his example.
The Little Panjandrum gravely kicked the two musicians, who were still prostrate on the ground before him, and they immediately arose and stood on one leg each, like the Ambassador. Then His Importance himself balanced himself in the same way. The black slave at the back, whose legs were attached to those of the Little Panjandrum, imitated him.
The children were highly interested in this proceeding, when the Ambassador, without speaking, motioned them to stand on one leg each, too.
“Come on, let’s do it,” said Dick, “and see what they are going to do.”
So the three children solemnly hopped upon one foot, too.
For a moment or two no one spoke. And at last the Dodo, gasping out, “Oh! I can’t keep it up any longer,” fell to the ground, and everybody else put their leg down again.
“Ough!” said the Ambassador, in a disgusted voice. “Of course, you must needs spoil it all. Most disrespectful behavior to the Little Panjandrum, I call it.”