And now the nome's eyes wandered to Bilbil, and he asked: "Is that your talking goat ?" Bilbil met the Nome King's glowering look with a gaze equally surly and defiant, while Rinkitink answered: "It is, Your Majesty." "Can he really talk ?" asked Kaliko, curiously.
"He can.

But the best thing he does is to scold.

Talk to His Majesty, Bilbil." But Bilbil remained silent and would not speak.
"Do you always ride upon his back ?" continued Kaliko, questioning Rinkitink.
"Yes," was the answer, "because it is difficult for a fat man to walk far, as perhaps you know from experience.
"That is true," said Kaliko.

"Get off the goat's back and let me ride him a while, to see how I like it.

Perhaps I'll take him away from you, to ride through my caverns." Rinkitink chuckled softly as he heard this, but at once got off Bilbil's back and let Kaliko get on.