"Nor the young squire either?"
"No, nor him either, not for all the world."
"Nor the heyduke? He is my godson, you know."
"No, nor him either, old 'un, but do look sharp."
"You only want to find out whether there is poison in the castle or not, don't you?"
"Yes, yes. Devil take the fellow! Be off, or I'll knock some of your teeth down your throat."
And the poor Leather-bell scuttled off.
"And now bring Mekipiros hither!"
They dragged the poor half-idiotic creature into the room. His thick, bristly hair hung right over his eyes. He was grinning and evidently in a good humour. But he could speak no longer, of course, since he had lost his tongue; whatever they said to him he could only reply: "Hamamama!"
This with him was the expression of happiness and contentment, both question and answer.