She found the Crocodile with his hat and gloves on. At the door stood a perambulator, in which was the weak cup of tea, propped up with pillows, and carefully wrapped in a little woollen shawl.
“I can’t enjoy my breakfast till I have taken the poor little thing out for a breath of fresh air,” said the Crocodile when she came in. “Did you hear how their tea is?” he asked anxiously.
“Oh, quite strong and beginning to draw very nicely,” said Girlie.
“I’m sure I’m very glad to hear it,” said the Crocodile, wiping his eye and looking ruefully at his own weak tea. “I shall probably not be back for some time,” he continued, “so, perhaps, I had better say good-bye. Pray make yourself at home.” And, after shaking hands with her, the poor old creature went out, looking very mournful, and tenderly wheeling the perambulator with the weak cup of tea in it.
“How absurd!” said Girlie to herself; and, after watching him out of sight, she took her cup and saucer with her, and went back to the seals.
“I say,” said the eldest Seal when she entered the door, “there’s a letter for you in the post.”
“How do you know?” asked Girlie, putting down the cake, and passing her cup over for some tea.
“Because I put it there,” said the Seal.
“Put it where?” asked Girlie.
“In the post,” said the Seal in a tone of surprise.