“Charmed to meet you again,” he said, hurrying forward to meet him, and raising his hat, with a polite bow. “Pray, introduce me to your friends.”
CHAPTER XIII.
THE LITTLE PANJANDRUM”S BALLOON.
“Delighted to make your acquaintance,” said the Archæopteryx, when the necessary introductions had been made. “I’ve often wanted to meet some human beings; come and have luncheon with me. I’ve a couple of old friends staying here who will be delighted to see you.” So saying, he led the way to where two most extraordinary-looking creatures sat waiting at a table, which was set for seven people.
“Both antediluvians,” whispered their host, “the Palæotherium and the Eterædarium. Capital chaps, but crotchety.”
Fidge was a little alarmed at first, for they were really very ugly. They seemed quite amiable, however; and the Palæotherium—his mouth full of banana—motioned them to seats at the table, and, turning to the Dodo, said, “Haven’t I seen you before?”
The Dodo smirked, and, smoothing his gloves, said, in a self-conscious voice, “Very possibly we may have met before. I don’t remember you, but mine is a face which one is not likely to forget. Where did we meet, do you think?”
“I’m trying to remember,” said the Palæotherium, “it must have been several hundreds of years ago now, and my memory is getting so bad——”