“And what is the still business for, except to produce good spirits; but,” said the herald, suddenly assuming a tremendous air of official dignity, “we must tarry no longer; the games are about to commence.”
“Oh, but please, sir, may we keep the barley-sugar?”
“Yes,” said he, and was going to add “but” something, only he did not get time, for his Yes was instantly followed by three Thank-yous, and three enormous bites at the barley-sugar.
“Stop, stop, stop!” he cried. “I thought you wanted to keep it.”
The boys knew that they should not speak with their mouths full; and having as much in them as good manners allow, they were compelled to nod.
“And how can you both eat your lollypop and keep it? There’s a poser for you,” said the herald, folding his arms, throwing back his head, and planting his right foot forward in a manner which plainly meant, “I poses for a reply.”
CONFLICTING DUTIES.
It was a poser in one way, for no answer could be given to it by nod or shake; and as the mouths were still full, it remained unanswered, the boys wavering between—
“Speak when you are spoken to”
and
“Don’t speak with your mouth full.”
The herald’s notion of his own dignity seemed to be greatly increased by there being apparently no answer to his question, which was just as well, for as he got full of importance he got empty of everything else (on the well-known principle of natural philosophy, that two things cannot occupy the same space at the same time), and so forgot all about his question.