“Put ’em all to work!” he shouted.
“Don’t let ’em stand here idle.”
“What do you want me to do?” asked King Stanislaus meekly.
“Here, stop your talking, and get busy!” cried Snoutpimple, thrusting in the king’s hand a pick.
“I haven’t any choice,” said His Majesty, “so I’ll have to take my pick!”
The airy persiflage was lost upon Dragonfel, who frowned on him severely.
“I’m a king in my own right,” continued the monarch, pointing to his crown, “and never used a pick except to bury a dead dog, but I’ll not make a scene in the presence of my subjects, so here goes for the jewels.” His cheerfulness told on others.
“If it was digging shedder-crabs or scallops,” remarked the Sailor, “I’d soon fill a basket.”
“I’ve broken stones before,” said the Irishman, “but this is the first chance I ever had to get a whack at diamonds.”