“Certainly not!” said the pencilly man stroking his shiny hair, which was straight and black and grew up into a sharp point. “You shall skip nothing!”
“That gives me an idea,” whispered Kabumpo huskily. “Why shouldn’t we skip altogether? We’re bigger than they are. Why—”
“How are you getting on?” At the sound of that hoarse, familiar voice both the Prince and Kabumpo jumped.
“You don’t mind me asking, I hope?” Clinging to the high picket fence and looking anxiously through the bars was the Curious Cottabus.
“Have you found the Greatest Common Divisor yet?”
“Who’s he?” asked the Elegant Elephant suspiciously.
“Isn’t there any way out of Rith Metic but this?” wailed Pompa, looking at the Cottabus pleadingly. He was too tired to mind being questioned.
The curious beast was delighted to have this new opportunity to talk to the travelers.
“Will you answer a few questions if I tell you?” asked the Cottabus, raising itself with great difficulty and looking over the palings.
“Yes—yes—anything,” promised Pompa.