'-can be estimated by the number and force-'
. . .whumm . . . whummWHUMMWHUMM.
The Bursar found himself holding his breath.
'-of the expelled pellets, which I estimate in serious disturbances-'
Plib.
'-may well exceed two pellets-'
Plib.
'-expelled several inches-'
Plib.
'-during the-'
Plib.
'-course-'
Plib.
'-of-'
Plib.
'-one-'
Plib.
'-month,
Plib.
Gaspode woke up and quickly hauled himself into what he hoped looked like an alert position.
Someone was shouting, but politely, as if they wanted to be helped but only if it wouldn't be too much trouble.
He trotted up the steps. The door was ajar. He pushed it open with his head.
Victor was lying on his back, tied to a chair. Gaspode sat down and watched him intently, in case he was about to do something interesting.
'All right, are we?' he said, after a while.
'Don't just sit there, idiot! Untie these knots,' said Victor.
'Idiot I may be, but tied up I ain't,' said Gaspode evenly. 'Got the jump on you, did she?'
'I must have nodded off for a moment,.' said Victor.
'Long enough for her to get up, rip up a sheet, and tie you to the chair,' said Gaspode.
'Yes, all right, all right. Can't you gnaw through it, or something?'
'With these teeth? I could fetch someone, though,' said Gaspode, and grinned.