Dr. Herbert Benjamin
say is law here. For instance if I say ‘Stand On Your
Head,’ you must stand on your head! Stand On Your
Head! Right Away! That settles it!”
“There’s no
place
to stand!” said Henry. “I can’t.”
“I don’t care!” said the whale. “It’s the law! You’re
a law-breaker! I’ll tell you what. I’ll give you one more
chance. Wiggle your ears!”
“I don’t have any ears to wiggle,” Henry said.
“That does it,” said the whale. “You’re guilty,
guilty, guilty!”
“Guilty of what?” said Henry.
“Ignorance is no excuse. Are you ready for the
sentence?”
“No,” said Henry.
“Get ready then!” said the whale.
“I’m ready now,” said Henry.
“That’s nice of you,” said the whale. “That’s
very
nice of you. Just for that, I’ll cut the sentence in half!
Thank you. Thank you very much.”
“Thank
you,
” said Henry.
“Don’t mention it,” said the whale. “I
always
temper
justice with mercy.”
“What does that mean?” asked Henry
“Do you want a lawyer?”
“No,” said Henry. “I just want to go away.”
“Isn’t
that
nice of you!” said the Whale. “I’m so
glad
when a criminal
wants
to pay for his crime. All
right, get ready to get banished from the ocean. Here’s
the full sentence: LEAVE THE OCEAN, AND RIGHT
AWAY! That settles it. Now I’m going to cut the
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