“Gay,” said Puddleglum with a deep sigh. “That‘s what e’ve got to be. Gay. As if we hadn‘t a care in the world. rolicsome. You two youngsters haven’t always got very high pirits, I‘ve noticed. You must watch me, and do as I do. ll be gay. Like this” .and he assumed a ghastly grin. “And olicsome” .here he cut a most mournful caper. “You’ll oon get into it, if you keep your eyes on me. They think I‘m funny fellow already, you see. I dare say you two thought I as a trifle tipsy last night, but I do assure you it was.well, ost of it was.put on. I had an idea it would come in seful, somehow.”
The children, when they talked over their adventures fterwards, could never feel sure whether this last statement as quite strictly true; but they were sure that Puddleglum hought it was true when he made it.
“All right. Gay’s the word,” said Scrubb. “Now, if we could nly get someone to open this door. While we‘re fooling bout and being gay, we’ve got to find out all we can about his castle.”
Luckily, at that very moment the door opened, and the iant Nurse bustled in saying, “Now, my poppets. Like to ome and see the King and all the court setting out on the unting? Such a pretty sight!”