As he never wore his buskins except when he carried the mail, Ravoo sorely fretted with his Hessians; though it would have been highly imprudent to travel without them.

To make the thing more endurable, therefore, and, at intervals, to cool his heated pedals, he established a series of stopping-places, or stages; at each of which a fresh pair of buskins, hanging from a tree, were taken down and vaulted into by the ingenious traveler.

Those relays of boots were exceedingly convenient; next, indeed, to being lifted upon a fresh pair of legs.
"Now, to what purpose that anecdote ?" demanded Babbalanja of Mohi, who in substance related it.
"Marry! 'tis but the simple recital of a fact; and I tell it to entertain the company." "But has it any meaning you know of ?" "Thou art wise, find out," retorted Braid-Beard.

"But what comes of it ?" persisted Babbalanja.
"Beshrew me, this senseless catechising of thine," replied Mohi; "naught else, it seems, save a grin or two." "And pray, what may you be driving at, philosopher ?" interrupted Media.
"I am intent upon the essence of things; the mystery that lieth beyond; the elements of the tear which much laughter provoketh; that which is beneath the seeming; the precious pearl within the shaggy oyster.

I probe the circle's center; I seek to evolve the inscrutable." "Seek on; and when aught is found, cry out, that we may run to see." "My lord the king is merry upon me.