And left file! he takes the same road to join the others with all his party. There was not much more room, but by closing up a bit they managed.... And Drakestail is off again singing.
He arrived thus at the capital, and threaded his way straight up the High Street, still running and singing ‘Quack, quack, quack, when shall I get my money back?’ to the great astonishment of the good folks, till he came to the King’s palace.
He strikes with the knocker: ‘Toc! toc!’
‘Who is there?’ asks the porter, putting his head out of the wicket.
‘’Tis I, Drakestail. I wish to speak to the King.’
‘Speak to the King!... That’s easily said. The King is dining, and will not be disturbed.’
‘Tell him that it is I, and I have come he well knows why.’
The porter shuts his wicket and goes up to say it to the King, who was just sitting down to dinner with a napkin round his neck, and all his ministers.
‘Good, good!’ said the King laughing. ‘I know what it is! Make him come in, and put him with the turkeys and chickens.’
The porter descends.