ut being followed by their new friend, which had manifested a
disposition to drag the peg out of the ground and follow them like a
dog.

It was while the Doctor was delivering an impromptu disquisition upon
the peculiarities of the one-horned rhinoceros and the slight
resemblance given by the folds of its monstrous hide to the shell of a
turtle, that Ramball followed the two boys and made signs to them to
come to the other end of the great van-walled booth, when he asked them
if they had considered his proposition.

"I never made such an offer before in my life, young gents. It's a good
'un. Don't you let it slide."

But the boys were saved the pain of telling the man that it was quite
out of the question by the coming up of the guest at the Doctor's
dinner, Professor Barclay, who was effusively civil to Glyn, and
fastened himself upon Singh to talk of Indian matters and language till
the visit came to an end.

Just before leaving, Ramball came up to them again, but he had to speak
in the presence of the Doctor.

"I only wanted to ask the young gents, sir," he said, "if they had made
their choice of the two little somethings to keep in remembrance of what
they did over the elephant."

"Two little somethings?" said the Doctor loftily. "I am quite sure,
sir, that my pupils do not wish to take any two little somethings as a
gift from you."

"No, no, sir, not what you call gifts; but just a couple of little
trifles as I asked them to pick out."

"Oh, no, no," cried the Doctor. "It is not necessary, my man, and we
have no room for such things in my establishment."

"Ah, excuse me, sir," said the man eagerly; "you are thinking I mean
something big and awkward; but a nice little monkey, sir, or a bird?"

"Monkeys don't want monkeys," said Slegge, in a whisper to Burney, just
loud enough for Glyn to hear, and making him turn sharply upon the
speaker.

"Have a baboon, Severn," said Slegge maliciously, for he met the boy's
flashing eyes.

"What for?" said Glyn coolly.

"Oh, I don't know," continued Slegge, after a glance at the boys around,
who burst into a low series of titters. "I would if I were you.
There's a nice brotherly look about that one in the cage, and he hasn't
got a tail."

"Mr Severn," said the Doctor, "come here. I want you to tell Mr
Ramball that you do not need any recompense for the services you have
performed. Mr Singh has already spoken."

"Yes, sir, I'll come," replied the boy qui