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Part Five | Hugh Lofting | |
X The Coronation Of King Jong |
Page 2 of 3 |
First he recited the names of all the great Popsipetel kings who in days long ago had been crowned in this ivory chair. He spoke of the greatness of the Popsipetel people, of their triumphs, of their hardships. Then waving his hand towards the Doctor he began recounting the things which this king-to-be had done. And I am bound to say that they easily outmatched the deeds of those who had gone before him. As soon as he started to speak of what the Doctor had achieved for the tribe, the people, still strictly silent, all began waving their right hands towards the throne. This gave to the vast theatre a very singular appearance: acres and acres of something moving--with never a sound. At last the old man finished his speech and stepping up to the chair, very respectfully removed the Doctor's battered high hat. He was about to put it upon the ground; but the Doctor took it from him hastily and kept it on his lap. Then taking up the Sacred Crown he placed it upon John Dolittle's head. It did not fit very well (for it had been made for smaller-headed kings), and when the wind blew in freshly from the sunlit sea the Doctor had some difficulty in keeping it on. But it looked very splendid. Turning once more to the people, the old man said, "Men of Popsipetel, behold your elected king!--Are you content?" And then at last the voice of the people broke loose. "JONG! JONG!" they shouted, "LONG LIVE KING JONG!" |
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The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle Hugh Lofting |
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