That Pig looked up with joyful start: “Oh Frog, you _are_ a trump! Your words have healed my inward smart— Come, name your fee and do your part: Bring comfort to a broken heart, By teaching me to jump!” “My fee shall be a mutton-chop, My goal this ruined Pump. Observe with what an airy flop I plant myself upon the top! Now bend your knees and take a hop, For that’s the way to jump!” [Illustration: THE FATAL JUMP] Uprose that Pig, and rushed, full whack, Against the ruined Pump: Rolled over like an empty sack, And settled down upon his back, While all his bones at once went ‘Crack!’ It was a fatal jump. When the Other Professor had recited this Verse, he went across to the fire-place, and put his head up the chimney. In doing this, he lost his balance, and fell head-first into the empty grate, and got so firmly fixed there that it was some time before he could be dragged out again. Bruno had had time to say “I thought he wanted to see how many peoples was up the chimbley.” And Sylvie had said “_Chimney_—not chimbley.” And Bruno had said “Don’t talk ’ubbish!” All this, while the Other Professor was being extracted. “You must have blacked your face!” the Empress said anxiously. “Let me send for some soap?” “Thanks, no,” said the Other Professor, keeping his face turned away. “Black’s quite a respectable colour. Besides, soap would be no use without water.” Keeping his back well turned away from the audience, he went on with the Introductory Verses:— [Illustration: ‘BATHING CROCODILES IN CREAM’] Little Birds are writing Interesting books, To be read by cooks: Read, I say, not roasted— Letterpress, when toasted, Loses its good looks. Little Birds are playing Bagpipes on the shore, Where the tourists snore: “Thanks!” they cry. “’Tis thrilling! Take, oh take this shilling! Let us have no more!” Little Birds are bathing Crocodiles in cream, Like a happy dream: Like, but not so lasting— Crocodiles, when fasting, Are not all they seem! [Illustration: ‘THAT PIG LAY STILL AS ANY STONE’] That Camel passed, as Day grew dim Around the ruined Pump. “O broken heart! O broken limb! It needs,” that Camel said to him, “Something more fairy-like and slim, To execute a jump!” That Pig lay still as any stone, And could not stir a stump: Nor ever, if the truth were known, Was he again observed to moan, Nor ever wring his hoofs and groan, Because he could not jump. That Frog made no remark, for he Was dismal as a dump: He knew the consequence must be That he would never get his fee— And still he sits, in miserie, Upon that ruined Pump! [Illustration: ‘STILL HE SITS IN MISERIE’] “It’s a miserable story!” said Bruno. “It begins miserably, and it ends miserablier. I think I shall cry. Sylvie, please lend me your handkerchief.” “I haven’t got it with me,” Sylvie whispered.