136 PRINCE FILDERKIN

culty, or danger it was the custom to appeal
to him for guidance and advice.

As soon, therefore, as the creature had
been brought face to face with the King, the
latter proceeded to make his appeal in the
accustomed manner. He took off his crown,
winked three times, laid the forefinger of his
right hand by the side of his royal nose,
and promptly addressed the weetwohl in
the following emphatic manner :

‘Father, what’s up ?’

The turtle uttered a low moan, and then,
regarding his questioner. with sleepy eyes,
replied in a husky voice:

‘The sun.’

The King stamped his foot impatiently.

‘By the shell of thy great-grandfather, O
weetwohl, and the green fat of all thine
ancestors, I implore thee not to trifle with
me. I know by my magical powers that
something is wrong, but I cannot tell what.
Therefore I have stopped the procession.
What shall I do?’

Again the turtle regarded the speaker
with a stolid, fishy look, and then responded
in the same tone:

-*Go on.’