Page:Carroll - Sylvie and Bruno Concluded.djvu/351

XX] once waswe've found it desirable to concoct little surprises for her. Then comes the Lecture"

"What? The Lecture you were getting readyever so long ago?" Sylvie enquired.

"Yesthat's the one," the Professor rather reluctantly admitted. "It has taken a goodish time to prepare. I've got so many other things to attend to. For instance, I'm Court-Physician. I have to keep all the Royal Servants in good healthand that reminds me!" he cried, ringing the bell in a great hurry. "This is Medicine-Day! We only give Medicine once a week. If we were to begin giving it every day, the bottles would soon be empty!"

"But if they were ill on the other days?" Sylvie suggested.

"What, ill on the wrong day!" exclaimed the Professor. "Oh, that would never do! A Servant would be dismissed at once, who was ill on the wrong day! This is the Medicine for today," he went on, taking down a large jug from a shelf. "I mixed it, myself, first thing this morning. Taste it!" he said,