on.

"Ah, yes, perhaps you are right: you always are when I happen to be
wrong, and you differ from me--unless you are wrong also," replied the
Count. "But where shall we go?"

"Why, round the world if we want to see it;--or as far round as we can
get," said the Baron, correcting himself; "and then we shall not have
seen it all."

"When shall we start?" asked the Count, brightening up; "next year?"

"Next fiddlesticks! this afternoon, to be sure. Don't put off till
to-morrow what can be done to-day, still less till next year. What's to
hinder us? We have no ties."

"Yes, there are my neck-ties to come from the laundress," said the
Count, who was addicted to taking things literally; "and I must procure
some new shoe-ties."

"Never mind, I'll get them for you in good time," said the Baron. "You
have plenty of money, so you can pay for both of us, which will simplify
accounts."

"Yes, to be sure, I hate complicated accounts," remarked the Count, who
thought the Baron the essence of wisdom, and that this was an especially
bright idea. "And what luggage shall we require?"

"Let me see: you have two valises--one will do for you and the other for
me," said the Baron, putting his fore-finger on his brow in a thoughtful
manner. "All, yes; besides the ties you will require a shirt-collar or
two, a comb to unravel those hyacinthine locks of yours, a pair of
spectacles, and a toothpick. It might be as well also to take an
umbrella, in case we should be caught out in the rainy season."

"But shouldn't I take my slippers?" asked the Count.

"What a brilliant idea!" exclaimed the Baron. "And that reminds me that
you must of course take your seven-league boots."

"But I have only one pair, and if I put them on I shall be unable to
help running away from you, and we could no longer be called travelling
companions."

"Ah, yes, I foresaw that difficulty from the first," observed the Baron.
"But, my dear Funnibos, I never allow difficulties to stand in my way.
I've thought of a plan to overcome that one. You shall wear one boot
and I'll wear the other, then hand in hand we'll go along across the
country almost as fast as you would alone."

"Much faster--for I should to a certainty lose my way, or stick in a
quagmire," observed the Count.

"Then all our arrangements are made," said the Baron. "I'll see about
any other trifles we may require. Now let us pack up."

"You have forgotten my ties," observed the Coun