“And who told him to get into the crocodile? A respectable man, a man holding a certain position, living in lawful wedlock, and suddenly—such a step? Now, is that consistent?”
“But the step was taken unintentionally.”
“How should I know that? And then, how is the crocodile-keeper to be paid, eh? No, no, he had better stop where he is; he has nowhere to hurry to.”
A happy thought flashed into my mind.
“Can’t we manage it this way,” said I. “If he is fated to stay in the entrails of the monster, and if, by the will of Providence, he remains alive, can’t he send in a petition that he shall be regarded as serving during his sojourn there?”
“H’m; you mean, as on furlough, without salary?”
“No, I mean with his salary.”
“On what ground?”
“As being on an expedition, on Government service——”
“What expedition? Where to?”