“So the nine men returned to the eleven wise men and told them what Telambus had said.
“‘He is right,’ said the eleven wise men. ‘He is a king already. Get your horses, your chariots, your banners, and your music, and bring our king in as he deserves to be brought.’
“So Telambus was made the king of that country.”
At this point Mrs. Meadows began to hunt for a knitting-needle she had dropped, and the children knew that the story was ended.
“That was a pretty good story,” said Mr. Thimblefinger. “It was short and sweet, as the king-bird said to the honey-bee.”
“Dey wuz too much kingin’ in it ter suit me. Ef folks got ter have kings, how come we ain’t got none?” asked Drusilla.
“Please tell me about the little girl with the vial of sparkling water from the Well at the End of the World,” said Sweetest Susan to Mr. Thimblefinger. “I expect she is nearly grown by this time.”
“Oh, yes,” replied Mr. Thimblefinger, “she has now grown to be quite a young lady.”
“Huh!” grunted Drusilla, “ef folks grow up dat quick, I dunner what hinder me from bein’ a ol’ gray-head ’oman by sundown.”