After a few minutes’ ride they stopped outside a handsome building, and the Dodo once more alighted, and went up the steps to where a man in brown livery, with gilt buttons, stood by the lift.
“Are you A. B. C.?” demanded the Dodo, posing in what he evidently took to be a dignified attitude.
“N—no—second floor!” gasped the astonished attendant.
“Dear me, what a bother,” said the Dodo. “Just go and tell him I’m here, will you?” he said; “I’ve come about the situation, you know.”
“Oh!” said the man, “you’d better go up; there are several applicants already.”
“Bless me!” cried the Dodo, in alarm. “I’d better hurry then.”
“Will you go up in the lift—er—Sir?” asked the attendant.
“What’s that?” demanded the Dodo.
“Oh, get in, and you’ll see,” said the man, unceremoniously, pushing the bird into the lift, and getting in after him.
He pulled the rope, and up they went, the Dodo sinking to the ground with a ridiculous sprawl as the lift ascended.