“Why don’t you proceed?” inquired the Lord High Adjudicator.
[Original]
“I’m afraid I can’t find a rhyme for successor,” admitted the Court Poet, looking greatly confused.
“Dear me! this is the second time this week you have failed in your rhyming,” exclaimed the Lord High Adjudicator impatiently. “It’s most annoying.”
“It’s unbearable,” declared the Public Persecutor.
“If he can’t do his work properly, we had better reduce his salary,” suggested the Busybody Extraordinary.
“Hear, hear!” shouted several voices at once.
“Oh, please don’t!” pleaded the Court Poet. “My stipend is very small as it is.”