“Do you care for strawberry tarts?” asked the Cottabus, twitching its nose very rapidly.
“Of course,” said the Prince. “Oh! Do hurry. Count It Up will be back in a moment!” He had run ahead to arrange a new problem and the rest of the Figure Heads paid no attention to the queer creature clinging to the palings.
“Are you going to invite the Scarecrow to your wedding?” gulped the Cottabus.
“I don’t know any Scarecrow,” said Pompa, “so how could I?”
“Are you fond of that old elephant?” The Cottabus waved at Kabumpo, who stamped first one foot then another and fairly snorted with rage.
“All right,” sighed the Curious Cottabus, “that makes my fifty questions.”
Hanging on to the fence with one paw it waved the other backward and forward as it chanted:
“How many tics in Rith Metic?
Tell me that and tell me quick!
But if you can’t it’s not my fault,