The room was in the utmost confusion, the remains of a feast occupying one end of the long table, while the rest of it was piled high with little bags of silver and gold. The Doctor-in-law and the Cockatoo sat at the table, the Doctor-in-law with a very red face and the Cockatoo looking very angry; they had evidently been quarrelling violently. They both looked up in surprise when they heard the door open, and the Cockatoo screamed as the Wallypug, followed by Girlie and the Royal Microscopist, entered.
“What does all this mean?” said the Wallypug in a stern voice and with a quiet dignity which seemed to come to him all at once.
The Cockatoo shrank back into her chair and the Doctor-in-law hung his head and seemed to be stricken dumb.
“Where are all my people?” demanded the Wallypug in a firm voice. “Answer me!”
“‘OH, PRAY FORGIVE US,’ CRIED THE DOCTOR-IN-LAW THROWING HIMSELF ON HIS KNEES.”
“In bed!” said the Doctor-in-law faintly.
“In bed!” cried the Wallypug. “What do you mean?”
“Oh! pray forgive us!” cried the Doctor-in-law, throwing himself on his knees, while the Cockatoo hid her face in one claw and rocked herself to and fro, saying over and over again, “What shall we do? What shall we do?”
“Get up at once!” said the Wallypug, “and tell me what you mean. Why are the People in bed?”