“They are friends of mine，” said Nikabrik. “And what better right have you yourself to be here than that you are a friend of Trumpkin‘s and the Badger’s？ And what right has that old dotard in the black gown to be here except that he is your friend？ Why am I to be the only one who can‘t bring in his friends？”
“His Majesty is the King to whom you have swornallegiance，” said Trufflehunter sternly.
“Court manners， court manners，” sneered Nikabrik. “But in this hole we may talk plainly. You know.and he knows. that this Telmarine boy will be king of nowhere and nobody in a week unless we can help him out of the trap in which he sits.”
“Perhaps，” said Cornelius， “your new friends would like to speak for themselves？ You there， who and what are you？”
