remembering, he cried excitedly, "Where's the stump--where's the
stump? I have to tell Sara about it!"

But alas, the invaders had razed the stump to the ground, apparently
out of wanton malice, for they had made no use of it. All over and
around it were strewn plus-signs, minus-signs, and other weapons; and
Sara noticed that the dots from the divided-by signs were rolling
about everywhere on the withered grass. Manifestly, Schlorge could not
get upon the fallen stump, through such a thicket of debris, and he
dared not move them nor step on them; besides, it is doubtful if he
could have told Sara about it unless the stump were right side up.

At this juncture, however, Pirlaps stepped boldly forward and once
more offered Schlorge his step. Schlorge sprang upon it without
noticing the chocolate, but he was so agitated that he put his left
hand into his bosom and his right behind his back, instead of the
other way around. However, it was in a loud, firm voice, with fierce,
defiant looks at the invaders, that he informed Sara:

"The Fractions came down like a wolf on the fold:
Their ears are acute but their noses are cold.
They know nothing of poetry, music or art--
So why in Sam Hill should they think they're so smart?"



"Why in Zeelup?" corrected the Teacup, from above, in a tremulous,
weeping voice; but even had it been louder it would have been drowned
in the clamor that rose from the tables.