human
Odds Zooks! he cried, as they all knelt before the throne,
gpt
Is that right, Nebbie? Is 'devoir' a kingly word?
human
Absolutely kingly, your Majesty, said the fat man, yawning.
gpt
It was used by King Arthur and Richard Coeur de Leon.
human
Very well! said the kinglet, proudly. Then he turned again to the kneeling group before him.
gpt
Why don't you answer me? he exclaimed.
human
Why are you so late in paying me your boudoirs?
gpt
Devoirs, your Majesty!
human
I said 'devoirs'!
gpt
We are late because we did not get here sooner, said the Awkward;
human
So! shrieked his Majesty, with blazing eyes.
gpt
Now by my halidom-- he paused suddenly, and turned to the fat man, prodding him so fiercely that he jumped several feet into the air.
human
Is 'halidom' the right word, Nebbie?
gpt
Sure,
human
What does it mean?
gpt
What does halidom mean?
human
Yes.
gpt
Why, a halidom is a halidom, said the fat man, thoughtfully;
human
But what _is_ it?
gpt
It's a--a--a sort of a royal prerogative, and is usually painted red,
human
Let me see, he remarked;
gpt
You were by your halidom, your Majesty,
human
Oh, yes. Again the long freckled face took on a frown.
gpt
By my halidom, churl--
human
Churl is all right,
gpt
By my halidom, churl, you shall either swallow my sceptre or die the death!
human
What death?
gpt
The one that makes people dead, replied the kinglet, sternly.
human
Choose, then, varlet-- (
gpt
Varlet is good, said Nebbie, quickly, to avoid a thrust)
human
I'll swallow the sceptre,
gpt
Good,
human
But not now, added the Blunderer, hastily;
gpt
I'll take my time about it. You didn't say when, you know.
human
Now, by the royal Juggernaut of Jowl--
gpt
If I should swallow it now, continued the Blunderer, calmly,
human
What!
gpt
That's right, declared Nebbie, groaning and rubbing his fat side dolefully.
human
A kinglet without a sceptre is a flibberjig, and I'll be black and blue by to-morrow morning!
gpt
Well, said his Majesty, after considering the matter,
human
I forbid you, Sir Blunderer, to swallow my sceptre until I give you leave.