A nice way to go.

It was only three columns ago that I referred to The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. That was the third time that I'd referred to it in these columns, suggesting that if those references are getting more and more frequent, in only about a hundred columns I'll have quoted the entire book.

But that's beside the point. The point is that Milo was also able to go without saying, and that particular passage seemed to be saying to me again and again "quote me here as well", until I gave in.

Milo and Tock stood blinking in the bright light and, as their eyes became accustomed to it, the first things they saw were the king's advisers again rushing toward them.

"Ah, there you are."

"Where have you been?"

"We've been looking all over for you."

"The Royal Banquet is about to begin."

"Come with us."

They seemed very agitated and out of breath as Milo walked along with them.

"But what about my car?" he asked.

"Dont need it," replied the duke.

"No use for it," said the minister.

"Superfluous," advised the count.

"Unncecessary," stated the earl.

"Uncalled for," cried the undersecretary. "We'll take our vehicle."

"Conveyance."

"Rig."

"Charabanc."

"Chariot."

"Buggy."

"Coach."

"Brougham."

"Shandrydan," they repeated quickly in order, and pointed to a small wooden wagon.

"Oh, dear, all those words again," thought Milo as he climbed into the wagon with Tock and the cabinet members. "How are you going to make it move? It doesn't have a - "

"Be very quiet," advised the duke, "for it goes without saying."

And, sure enough, as soon as they were all quite still, it began to move quickly through the streets, and in a very short time they arrived at the royal palace.

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