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〃Oh bother the theatreand the babies too；〃 snapped Polynesia。 〃The
theatre can wait a week。 And as for babies； they never have anything more
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than colic。 How do you suppose babies got along before you came here；
for heaven's sake？Take a holiday。 。 。 。 You need it。〃
THE SIXTH CHAPTER
THE LAST CABINET MEETING
FROM the way Polynesia talked； I guessed that this idea of a holiday
was part of her plan。
The Doctor made no reply； and we walked on silently towards the
town。 I could see； nevertheless that her words had made an impression on
him。
After supper he disappeared from the palace without saying where he
was going a thing he had never done before。 Of course we all knew
where he had gone： back to the beach to sit up with the snail。 We were
sure of it because he had said nothing to Bumpo about attending to the
matter。
As soon as the doors were closed upon the Cabinet Meeting that night；
Polynesia addressed the Ministry：
〃Look here； you fellows；〃 said she： 〃we've simply got to get the
Doctor to take this holiday somehowunless we're willing to stay in this
blessed island for the rest of our lives。〃
〃But what difference；〃 Bumpo asked； 〃is his taking a holiday going to
make？〃
Impatiently Polynesia turned upon the Minister of the Interior。
〃Don't you see？ If he has a clear week to get thoroughly interested in
his natural history againmarine stuff； his dream of seeing the floor of the
ocean and all that there may be some chance of his consenting to leave
this pesky place。 But while he is here on duty as king he never gets a
moment to think of anything outside of the business of government。〃
〃Yes； that's true。 He's far too consententious Bumpo agreed。
〃And besides；〃 Polynesia went on； 〃his only hope of ever getting away
from here would be to escape secretly。 He's got to leave while he is
holiday…making； incognito when no one knows where he is or what he's
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doing； but us。 If he built a ship big enough to cross the sea in； all the
Indians would see it； and hear it； being built； and they'd ask what it was for。
They would interfere。 They'd sooner have anything happen than lose the
Doctor。 Why； I believe if they thought he had any idea of escaping they
would put chains on him。〃
〃Yes； I really think they would；〃 I agreed。 〃Yet without a ship of some
kind I don't see how the Doctor is going to get away； even secretly。〃
〃Well； I'll tell you；〃 said Polynesia。 〃If we do succeed in making him
take this holiday； our next step will be to get the sea…snail to promise to
take us all in his shell and carry us to the mouth of Puddleby River。 If we
can once get the snail willing； the temptation will be too much for John
Dolittle and he'll come； I knowespecially as he'll be able to take those
new plants and drugs of Long Arrow's to the English doctors； as well as
see the floor of the ocean on the way。〃
〃How thrilling！〃 I cried。 〃Do you mean the snail could take us under
the sea all the way back to Puddleby？〃
〃Certainly；〃 said Polynesia； 〃a little trip like that is nothing to him。 He
would crawl along the floor of the ocean and the Doctor could see all the
sights。 Perfectly simple。 Oh； John Dolittle will come all right； if we can
only get him to take that holidayAND if the snail will consent to give us
the ride。〃
〃Golly； I hope he does！〃 sighed Jip。 〃I'm sick of these beastly tropics
they make you feel so lazy and good…for…nothing。 And there are no rats or
anything herenot that a fellow would have the energy to chase 'em even
if there were。 My； wouldn't I be glad to see old Puddleby and the garden
again！ And won't Dab…Dab be glad to have us back！〃
〃By the end of next month；〃 said I； 〃it will be two whole years since
we left Englandsince we pulled up the anchor at Kingsbridge and
bumped our way out into the river。〃
〃And got stuck on the mud…bank；〃 added Chee…Chee in a dreamy； far…
away voice。
〃Do you remember how all the people waved to us from the river…
wall？〃 I asked。
〃Yes。 And I suppose they've often talked about us in the town since；〃
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said Jip〃wondering whether we're dead or alive。〃
〃Cease；〃 said Bumpo； 〃I feel I am about to weep from sediment。〃
THE SEVENTH CHAPTER
THE DOCTOR'S DECISION
WELL； you can guess how glad we were when next morning the
Doctor； after his all…night conversation with the snail； told us that he had
made up his mind to take the holiday。 A proclamation was published right
away by the Town Crier that His Majesty was going into the country for a
seven…day rest； but that during his absence the palace and the government
offices would be kept open as usual。
Polynesia was immensely pleased。 She at once set quietly to work
making arrangements for our departuretaking good care the while that no
one should get an inkling of where we were going； what we were taking
with us； the hour of our leaving or which of the palace…gates we would go
out by。
Cunning old schemer that she was； she forgot nothing。 And not even
we； who were of the Doctor's party； could imagine what reasons she had
for some of her preparations。 She took me inside and told me that the one
thing I must remember to bring with me was ALL of the Doctor's note…
books。 Long Arrow； who was the only Indian let into the secret of our
destination； said he would like to come with us as far as the beach to see
the Great Snail； and him Polynesia told to be sure and bring his collection
of plants。 Bumpo she ordered to carry the Doctor's high hatcarefully
hidden under his coat。 She sent off nearly all the footmen who were on
night duty to do errands in the town； so that there should be as few
servants as possible to see us leave。 And midnight； the hour when most of
the towns…people would be asleep； she finally chose for our departure。
We had to take a week's food…supply with us for the royal holiday。 So；
with our other packages； we were heavy laden when on the stroke