"I want to know
The which and what,
The where and how and why?
A curious, luxurious
Old Cottabus am I!
I want to know the
When and who,
The whatfor and whyso, Sir!
So please attend, there is no end
To things I want to know, Sir!"
"Aha!" exulted the voice triumphantly. "There you are!" And a great round head was thrust out, almost in Kabumpo's face. "Oh! I'm going to enjoy this. Don't move!"
Kabumpo was too astonished to move, and the next instant the Cottabus had flounced out of the bushes and settled itself directly in front of the two travelers. It was large as a pony, but shaped like a great overfed cat. Its eyes bulged unpleasantly and the end of its tail ended in a large fan.
"Well," grunted Kabumpo after the strange creature had regarded them for a full minute without blinking.
"Well, what?" it asked, beginning to fan itself sulkily. "You act as if you had never seen a Cottabus before."
56
