The green-and-red lizard, coming from the window-sill, approached Ervic and began spitting a flaming fluid at him, but Ervic merely stared at the creature and its flame did not touch him.
The crocodile raised its tail and, swinging around, swept Ervic off the bench with a powerful blow.

But the Skeezer managed to save the kettle from upsetting and he got up, shook off the horned toads that were crawling over him and resumed his seat on the bench.
All the creatures, after this first attack, remained motionless, as if awaiting orders.

The old gray ape knitted on, not looking toward Ervic now, and the young Skeezer stolidly kept his seat.

He expected something else to happen, but nothing did.

A full hour passed and Ervic was growing nervous.
"What do you want ?" the ape asked at last.
"Nothing," said Ervic.
"You may have that!" retorted the ape, and at this all the strange creatures in the room broke into a chorus of cackling laughter.
Another long wait.
"Do you know who I am ?" questioned the ape.
"You must be Reera the Red--the Yookoohoo," Ervic answered.
"Knowing so much, you must also know that I do not like strangers.