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Why don't you say what you have to say in English?" "It is English," declared the Ki-Wi, in an aggrieved voice, "and very good English too." "Of course it is," chimed in the Sage. "Well we don't understand it, anyhow," maintained Dick. "It doesn't seem to mean anything at all." "Perhaps, Dick, dear," said Marjorie, "Mr. Sage will explain it to us. Let's see it began "
"Certainly not," said Dick; "but who is the Ki-Wi, please?" "Oh, he's the Court Messenger," explained the Sage, "and is the only one here allowed to enter the Court of the Little Panjandrum without permission." "Go and fetch him," he continued. "Let me look at it," said the Sage, holding out his hand for the paper. "Why, no wonder it won't act for the gnomes," he exclaimed, when he had read it.
'Likewise, or like a wise man, which, I am sure, you will all agree that I am; and 'herein' means that my brains are all in here," said the Sage, tapping his head. "While 'aforesaid' the last word means that I have a strong head, or a force-head, do you see?" "Is the rest of the paper all about yourself, too, Sir?" asked Marjorie. "Yes," was the complacent reply. "Go on, Ki-Wi."
"And I can't squeeze into my own house, anyhow," wept the stout one. "The only way," said the Sage, after a moment's thought, with his forehead wrinkled into deep furrows, "is to send the Ki-Wi to the Court of the Little Panjandrum for a fresh authority. It's no use your having this one back if it won't act properly, is it?" he inquired, turning to the children.
Before they had time to realize what had happened, or to become in the least alarmed, they found themselves slowly and comfortably sinking through the air; while a shriek of laughter from the gnomes caused them to look up to the edge of the cliffs, where they beheld all the little fellows leaning over and waving their pocket-handkerchiefs, while the Sage and the Ki-Wi stood in their midst.
All excitement to know what it could be, the children sat down again, and the Ki-Wi after fumbling about in his coat tail for some time, produced a large document and began to read. "Um ah that is to say er notwithstanding, nevertheless, likewise also, and as is herein aforesaid," began the Ki-Wi, in an important voice. "Hold on!" cried Dick. "We can't understand all that, you know.
"Yes, isn't it good to be ourselves once more," said Marjorie. While Fidge jumped about delightedly, breaking down several of the onion plants, and almost treading on the Sage's hut. "Don't caper about like a lot of lunatics," shouted the little man, angrily. "Come and sit down and talk business. The Ki-Wi has something to tell you."
"'Notwithstanding, nevertheless, likewise, and as is herein aforesaid," repeated the Ki-Wi. "Well, I'll explain it, if you wish with pleasure," said the Sage, "though I can't see in the least why it should be necessary. It seems to me to perfectly simple. To begin with 'Notwithstanding' describes our position just now Not-with-standing, or not standing with the Ki-Wi.