) "Bush law"
("enacts," said the Swallow) "that" ("whereas," prompted the Swallow) "all
individual rights" ("whatsoever," put in the Swallow) "shall be according
to the statute Victoria--"
"Victoria! Twenty to one against the field," shouted the judge.
"Between you two," said the Pelican, looking angrily at the Swallow and
the Cockatoo, "I've forgotten everything I was going to say! I shan't
go on!"
"Never mind," said the Swallow cheerfully, "You've said quite enough, and
no one has understood a word of the charge, so it's all right. Now then
for the witnesses."
As the Swallow spoke, there was a great disturbance amongst the creatures.
The swan, ducks, cranes, and water fowl, besides honeysuckers, and many
other birds, were all fanning the air with their wings, and crying, "Turn
him out!" "Disgusting!" "I never heard of such a thing in my life! the
smell of it always gives me a headache!" and there was such a noise that
the jury all woke up, and Dot covered her ears with her hands. The
Cockatoo, seeing Dot's distress at the screams and hubbub, and thinking
that she wanted to say something, but could not make herself heard in the
general riot, decided to speak for her; so he screamed louder than all the
rest, and shouted, "Apples, oranges, pears, lemonade, cigarettes, AND
cigars! I say! what's the row?"
When quiet was restored, it was explained that the Opossum had brought
into Court a pouch full of gum leaves, which it was eating.
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