Part 6 (1/2)
As Sham-Sham made his appearance, with Davy at his heels, there was a sudden commotion among the birds, and they all cried out together, ”Here's the doctor!” but before Davy could reply the Hole-keeper suddenly made his appearance, with his great book, and, hurriedly turning over the leaves, said, pointing to Davy, ”_He_ isn't a doctor.
His name is Gloopitch.” At these words there arose a long, wailing cry, the lights disappeared, and Davy found himself on a broad path in the forest, with the Hole-keeper walking quietly beside him.
CHAPTER VIII.
SINDBAD THE SAILOR'S HOUSE.
”You had no right to tell those birds my name was Gloopitch!” said Davy, angrily. ”That's the second time you've got it wrong.”
”Well, it's of no consequence,” said the Hole-keeper, complacently.
”I'll make it something else the next time. I suppose you know they've caught Gobobbles?”
”I'm glad of it!” said Davy, heartily. ”He's worse than the c.o.c.kalorum, ten times over. What did they do with him?”
”Cooked him,” said the Hole-keeper,--”roasted him, fried him, pickled him, and boiled him.”
”Gracious!” exclaimed Davy; ”I shouldn't think he'd be good for much after all that.”
”He isn't,” replied the Hole-keeper, calmly. ”They're going to keep him to rub out pencil-marks with.”
This was such a ridiculous idea that Davy threw back his head, and laughed long and loud.
”Do that again,” said the Hole-keeper, stopping short in his walk and gazing at him earnestly; and Davy burst into another fit of laughter.
”Do it again,” persisted the Hole-keeper, staring at him still more solemnly.
This was somewhat tiresome; and, after a rather feeble attempt at a third laugh, Davy said, ”I don't feel like it any more.”
”If _I_ could do that,” said the Hole-keeper, earnestly, ”I'd never stop. The fact is,” he continued, gravely shaking his head, ”I've never laughed in my life. Does it hurt much?”
”It doesn't hurt at all,” said Davy, beginning to laugh again.
”Well, there, there!” said the Hole-keeper, peevishly, resuming his walk again; ”don't keep it up _forever._ By the way, you're not the postman, are you?”
”Of course I'm not,” said Davy.
”I'm glad of that,” said the Hole-keeper; ”postmen are always so dreadfully busy. Would you mind delivering a letter for me?” he added, lowering his voice confidentially.
”Oh, no,” answered Davy, rather reluctantly; ”not if it will be in my way.”
”It's sure to be in your way, because it's so big,” said the Hole-keeper; and, taking the letter out of his pocket, he handed it to Davy. It certainly was a very large letter, curiously folded, like a dinner-napkin, and sealed in a great many places with red and white peppermint drops, and Davy was much pleased to see that it was addressed:--
+------------------------------+
_Captain Robinson Crusoe,
Jeran Feranderperandamam,
B.G._
+------------------------------+
”What does B.G. stand for?” said Davy.
”Baldergong's Geography, of course,” said the Hole-keeper.
”But why do you put _that_ on the letter?” inquired Davy.