[Original]
The King was delighted and made sure that we should soon find the Portmanteau. We never did, though, to this day,” said the Advertiser General mournfully, “and the King of Limesia and our late King never made up the quarrel about it.”
“Well,” said Boy, “I think it was rather silly to make all that fuss about an old Portm——”
But before he could finish the sentence cries of “Haste to the poll,”
“Haste to the poll” were heard in the street, and on looking out of the window they saw people rushing frantically towards the House of Words. Hastily snatching up their caps the Advertiser General and the Public Rhymester rushed down the stairs and out into the road, and were soon lost to sight in the crowd. Boy followed as quickly as he could, for he wanted to hear who had been elected King. He could not get near the House of Words because of the crowd, but he could see by a clock in the street that it was nearly two, so the suspense would soon be over.
“Do you think that I stand any chance, sir?” inquired a melancholy-looking person standing near Boy.
“I’m sure I don’t know,” replied he.
“Because if I do I don’t know however I shall be able to afford a crown and sceptre. Are they very expensive, do you know?”