"I am bringing three illnesses," said the little brother. "Scarlatina, whooping-cough and measles...."
"Oh, that's all, is it?" cried Tyltyl.
He shook his head, with evident disappointment, while the other continued:
"After that, I shall leave you!"
"It will hardly be worth while coming!" said Tyltyl, feeling rather vexed.
"We can't pick and choose!" said the little brother, pettishly.
They would perhaps have quarrelled, without waiting till they were on earth, if they had not suddenly been parted by a swarm of Blue Children who were hurrying to meet somebody. At the same time, there was a great noise, as if thousands of invisible doors were being opened at the end of the galleries.
"What's the matter?" asked Tyltyl.
"It's Time," said one of the Blue Children. "He's going to open the doors."
And the excitement increased on every side. The Children left their machines and their labours; those who were asleep woke up; and every eye was eagerly and anxiously turned to the great opal doors at the back, while every mouth repeated the same name. The word, "Time! Time!" was heard all around; and the great mysterious noise kept on. Tyltyl was dying to know what it meant. At last, he caught a little Child by the skirt of his dress and asked him.