"
"Then these be surely the 'Bander Log'--the monkey folk--of whom
the good Rhuddyidd has told us," said a Gee Gee--"the ones who have
no purpose--and forget everything."
"Fool!" said the Moo Kow. "Know ye not that the great Rhuddyidd
has said that the Stalkies become Major-Generals, V. C.'s, and C.
B's of the English? Truly, they are great. Look now; ye shall see
one of the greatest traits of the English Stalky."
One of the pygmy Stalkies was offering a bun to a larger one, who
hesitated, but took it coldly.
"Behold! it is one of the greatest traits of this mighty race not
to show any emotion. He WOULD take the bun--he HAS taken it! He
is pleased--but he may not show it. Observe him eat."
The taller Stalky, after eating the bun, quietly kicked the giver,
knocked off his hat, and turned away with a calm, immovable face.
"Good!" said the Moo Kow. "Ye would not dream that he was
absolutely choking with grateful emotion?"
"We would not," said the animals.
"But why are they all running back the way they came?" asked Pi
Bol.
"They are going back to punishment. Great is its power. Have ye
not heard the gospel of Rhuddyidd the mighty? 'Force is
everything! Gentleness won't wash, courtesy is deceitful.
Politeness is foreign. Be ye beaten that ye may beat. Pass the
kick on.'"
But here he was interrupted by the appearance of three soldiers who
were approaching the watering-place.
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