"But that's just as bad," protested Milo.

More from Norton Juster

• “A slavish concern for the composition of words is the sign of a bankrupt intellect,” roared the Humbug, waving his cane furiously.
• A slavish concern for the composition of words is the sign of a bankrupt intellect, roared the Humbug, waving his cane furiously.
• But that's just as bad, protested Milo. "You mean just as good," corrected the Humbug. "Things which are equally bad are also equally good. Try to look at the bright side of things."
• "Dig in," said the king, poking Milo with his elbow and looking disapprovingly at his plate. "I can't say that I think much of your choice."
• "Don't say it," ghasped the dog, and Milo could see a tear well up in his eye.
• “Don’t say it,” ghasped the dog, and Milo could see a tear well up in his eye. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings,” said Milo, not meaning to hurt his feelings.