'Eighteenpence to five bob, according to the breed.'

'And the lizards?'

'Ninepence each.'

'And toads?'

'Fourpence. Now look here,' said the greasy owner of all this
caged life with a sudden ferocity which made the whole party back
hurriedly on to the wainscoting of hutches with which the shop
was lined. 'Lookee here. I ain't agoin' to have you a comin' in
here a turnin' the whole place outer winder, an' prizing every
animile in the stock just for your larks, so don't think it! If
you're a buyer, BE a buyer--but I never had a customer yet as
wanted to buy mice, and lizards, and toads, and guineas all at
once. So hout you goes.'

'Oh! wait a minute,' said the wretched Cyril, feeling how
foolishly yet well-meaningly he had carried out the Psammead's
instructions. 'Just tell me one thing. What do you want for the
mangy old monkey in the third hutch from the end?'

The shopman only saw in this a new insult.

'Mangy young monkey yourself,' said he; 'get along with your
blooming cheek. Hout you goes!'

'Oh! don't be so cross,' said Jane, losing her head altogether,