erable object.
MIK. Oh! You've not been long about it!
KO. We were married before the Registrar.
POOH. I am the Registrar.
MIK. I see. But my difficulty is that, as you have slain
the Heir Apparent----

Enter Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum. They kneel.

NANK. The Heir Apparent is not slain.
MIK. Bless my heart, my son!
YUM. And your daughter-in-law elected!
KAT. (seizing Ko-Ko). Traitor, you have deceived me!
MIK. Yes, you are entitled to a little explanation, but I
think he will give it better whole than in pieces.
KO. Your Majesty, it's like this: It is true that I stated
that I had killed Nanki-Poo----
MIK. Yes, with most affecting particulars.
POOH. Merely corroborative detail intended to give artistic
verisimilitude to a bald and----
KO. Will you refrain from putting in your oar? (To
Mikado.) It's like this: When your Majesty says, "Let a thing be
done," it's as good as done--practically, it is done--because
your Majesty's will is law. Your Majesty says, "Kill a
gentleman," and a gentleman is told off to be killed.
Consequently, that gentleman is as good as dead--practically, he
is dead--and if he is dead, why not say so?
MIK. I see. Nothing could possibly be more satisfactory!

FINALE.

PITTI. For he's gone and married Yum-Yum--
ALL. Yum-Yum!
PITTI. Your anger pray bury,
For all will be merry,
I think you had better succumb--
ALL. Cumb--cumb.
PITTI. And join our expressions of glee!
KO. On this subject I pray you be dumb--
ALL. Dumb--dumb!
KO. Your notions, though many,
Are not worth a penny,
The word for your guidance is "Mum"--
ALL. Mum--Mum!
KO. You've a very good bargain in me.
ALL. On this subject we pray you be dumb--
Dumb--dumb!
We think you had better succumb--
Cumb--cumb!
You'll find there are many
Who'll wed for a penny,
There are lots of good fish in the sea.
YUM. and NANK. The threatened cloud has passed away,