"On the costs!" was the reply, as the Inhabitant of Uranus hurried away to attend his appointment.
"Lawyers keeping a suit alive to live upon the costs!" exclaimed Mr. Punch, in tones of pained astonishment. "I never heard the like!"
And, horrified and sorrowful, he seized Father TIME by the forelock, and once more floated into space.
VISIT TO CASTOR.
Father TIME shivered, and wrapped his ancient cloak more closely about him.
"Come, come," said Mr. Punch, "I understand your disgust. But there is still something left to us in which we may take pleasure. Upon a neighbouring star the people delight in horses. All day long they bestride them with a courage never equalled. Swift as the wind are the steeds, and for mere honour and glory are they matched one against the other, and from all parts of the star the populace is gathered together in its hundreds of thousands to applaud and to crown them that ride the victors in the races. Let us fare thither, for the sport is splendid, and we shall there forget the pain we have suffered here. Indeed, it is but a short flight to Castor."
Thus speaking, he seized the Father by his lock, and floated with him into space. The roar of the Pollucian streets grew fainter and fainter, the lights twinkled dimly, until at length they disappeared. Then gradually the land loomed up above them out of a bank of clouds, and in another moment the wandering pair stood once more on stella firma.