“Ha, ha, ha!” came from A pigeon-hole.
“Hee, hee, hee!” from E.
“Ho, ho, ho!” from O.
Those that had got in beside the I’s laughed in a Hi key. The H’s that were in the U pigeon-hole alone remained silent, as they could only have called out Heu, which, as it means alas! they were not in the Humour to use.
The king made no attempt to rise, and looked as if he was much the worse of the drop he had had, and in great need of a Pick-me-up; so Norval put his foot on the step to get in and help him, but the king, observing his intention, waved his hand and said majestically—
“Royal Male.
NO ADMITTANCE.”
It was evident, however, that he was in great distress, for he called out “Oh!” several times, only the boys could not understand why he put other letters before it, so that it sounded like, “g. p. oh! g. p. oh! g. p. oh!”
“Get out of the way,” said a voice behind them; and a gorgeous officer, but who, strangely enough, wore canvas bags, and the orders on whose breast were money-orders, stepped in beside the Royal Male.
“Who’s that?” asked Jaques.
WIFE-BEATING.