They were cruising about in the air above the Whale’s head, wondering how to announce their visit politely, there being no front door knocker, nor even an electric bell.
“Look out! I believe something’s going to happen!” cried Tibbs, suddenly.
For there had come a strange gurgling sound beneath them. And the next moment, before the Albatross could move a wing, the Whale SPOUTED!
They were drenched! They were soaked to the skin, and even under that!
This was evidently a little joke on the part of the Whale, for he had his absurd little eyes open all the while, and must have waited until the Albatross and the children were over his head.
“Man the pumps, you lubberly longshoremen! I’m foundering!” shouted the distracted bird.
“Who’s floundering? What do you mean?” cried Tibbs, bewildered by the sudden uprush of water.
Kiddiwee was too frightened to say anything at first; he just clung to one of the bird’s big wing feathers, and waited for the deluge to stop.
Coppertop was the calmest of all. She was so busy trying to obey the orders of the confused Albatross that she had no time to be afraid.
“Tibbs, do help!” she cried.