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Updated: May 12, 2025
It was Jimfred Jinksjones, the double of the Fredjim Jonesjinks they had talked with in the servants' hall, and he bowed low before the Majordomo. "This is the King's new bootblue, a stranger who has lately arrived here," said Ghip-Ghisizzle, introducing the boy to the patched man. "I'm sorry for him," muttered Jimfred.
"We're sorry for anyone who has to be patched," replied Fredjim in a reflective tone, "for although it didn't hurt us as much as we expected, it's a terrible mix-up to be in until we become used to our strange combination. You and we are about alike, now, Jimfred, although we were so different before." "Not so," said Jimfred.
"But good gracious!" exclaimed the surprised Jimfred. "Who will guard the Treasure Chamber?" "I am to take your place," said Button-Bright. "Oh, very well," replied Jimfred. "This is a queer freak for our Boolooroo to indulge in, but he is always doing something absurd.
Outside the palace, Jimfred and Fredjim are on guard, but if you tip over the bench they are seated on, you can easily escape them." "I'll do that, all right," promised the delighted Tiggle. "You've made a friend of me, little girl, and if ever I can help you, I'll do it with pleasure." Then Trot started for the door, and Tiggle could no longer see her because she was not now touching him.
"He's a queer-looking chap, with his pale yellow skin, and I imagine our cruel Boolooroo is likely to patch him before long, as he did me I mean us." "No he won't," said Button-Bright positively. "The Boolooroo's afraid of me." "Oh, that's different," said Jimfred. "You're the first person I ever knew that could scare our Boolooroo."
It destroys our individuality and makes us complex creatures, so it's the worst punishment than can be inflicted in Sky Island." "Oh," said Button-Bright, alarmed at such dreadful butchery. "Doesn't it hurt?" "No, it doesn't hurt," replied Jimfred. "But it makes one frightfully nervous. They stand you under a big knife, which drops and slices you neatly in two, exactly in the middle.
"We are really more intelligent than you are, for the left side of our brain was always the keenest before we were patched." "That may be," admitted Fredjim, "but we are much the strongest, because our right arm was by far the best before we were patched." "We are not sure of that," responded Jimfred, "for we have a right arm, too, and it is pretty strong."
It's no disgrace to be patched in a country ruled by such a cruel Boolooroo as we have. Let the boy look at me if he wants to. I'm not pretty, but that's not my fault. Blame the Boolooroo." "I I'm glad to meet you, sir," stammered Button-Bright. "What is your name, please?" "I'm now named Jimfred Jonesjinks, and my partner is called Fredjim Jinksjones.
"You see," remarked Jimfred as they seated themselves again upon the bench, "The Boolooroo has ordered the patching to take place tomorrow morning after breakfast. The old Earth man is to be patched to poor Tiggle instead of Ghip-Ghisizzle, who has in some way managed to escape from the Room of the Great Knife no one knows how but Tiggle, and Tiggle won't tell."
It's a terrible punishment, and in a country where one can't die or be killed until he has lived his six hundred years, to be patched is a great misfortune." "I'm sure it is," said Button-Bright earnestly. "But can't you ever get get UNpatched again?" "If the Boolooroo would consent, I think it could be done," Jimfred replied, "but he never will consent.
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