Professor Menu 229

wall of hot lava turned a gigantic spit, and
beneath it stood a very curious beast, catching
the gravy. That was the dripping-panther.
There were a number of other curious beasts
holding the washed plates—these were plate-
raccoons. A strange bird was fussing about
all over the place, tasting the various dishes,
adding a little salt here, a little pepper there,
a little sauce in another place.

“That bird—a Combination of which I am
very proud—is my apprentice, the professed
cuckoo,” explained Menu. “You see that
other bird—that very fat three-cornered bird.
He is filled with jam, and is the jam-puffin.”

“ And those things like rabbits, with dark
brown dots all over them, and glaze on
their backs ?” I asked.

“Merely my currant-bunnies,” explained
the Professor. ‘Those irritable ones that
are quarrelling together near the fire are
hot-cross-bunnies.”

“And those strangely affectionate oysters
which would insist on coming to me to be
patted, on the sea-shore?”

“Ah yes—friendly natives,” said the pro-
fessor.