“REFUSE TO SEND SANDPIPER MESSAGE UNLESS ADMITTED TO MEETING [TO-NIGHT].”
Of course no one understood a word of this message except the Owl, who kept a Book of Knowledge in his nest and always brought it with him in case it should be needed. He now explained that the message meant that they would not be able to get Ready back to Master Dick unless the moths and bats were allowed to come to the meeting that night.
The Owl kept a Book of Knowledge
He also explained that this telegram had been written by the oldest Bat in the world, who, for several years, had made his home in the attic of one of the offices of the Western Union Telegraph Company. That is where he had learned all the big words to put in telegrams, and also that no self-respecting telegram could have more than ten words in it.
The Owl explained this very clearly to everyone. He even pointed out the words in the telegram and they all counted them aloud: “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.”
“Your Majesty, I think there is but one thing to do,” said the Owl at last in a firm voice, “and that is to grant them admittance to-night.”
“We will put it to a vote,” said the Eagle, stepping up to his throne and rapping loudly for order. Then he shouted, “All in favor of getting Ready home by admitting these bats, moths and butterflies, say ‘Aye.’”
“Aye,” shouted everybody and everything.
Ready felt that he ought not to vote on such a delicate matter, but he could not help wagging his tail.