Mustafa was the first to recover.
"Not a lion!" cried the Monarch of Mudge hoarsely. "Why, how dare you disappoint me like this? Did you hear that, Tazzywaller, Panny, Mixtuppa—all of you? He says he's not a lion." A sob of rage choked Mustafa's voice.
"I apologize for not being a lion," said Notta, in a polite, slightly shaky voice. "Ten thousand pardons!"
"Ten thousand puddings!" screamed Mustafa furiously.
"Puddings by all means, if your Highness prefers them," corrected Notta hastily.
"I told you there were no more lions in Mudge," wheezed Tazzywaller with a triumphant glance at Panapee. "I knew it wasn't a lion all along."
"Well, what is it then?" asked Mustafa angrily. "The little fellow's a boy of some kind, but this other?" He waved scornfully at the poor clown.
"A wizard, your Highness!" hissed Panapee. "A wizard, that's what he is."
"Now don't call me names," begged Notta, extending the front paws of his disguise. "I'm Notta."
"Not a wizard, I suppose," said Tazzywaller scornfully.