Of course, if you've ever gotten a surprise package, you can imagine how puzzled and excited Milo was; and if you've never gotten one, pay close attention, because someday you might.

More from The Phantom Tollbooth

• “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.
• “SILENCE,” suggested the King. “Now, young man, what can you do to entertain us? Sing songs? Tell stories? Compose sonnets? Juggle plates? Do tumbling tricks? Which is it?” “I can’t do any of those things,” admitted Milo. “What an ordinary little boy,” commented the king.
• 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."
• 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. "That's all right," said the dog, getting hold of himself. "It's an old story and a sad
• Good, said the judge, rapping his gavel three times. "I always have trouble remembering the long ones. How about 'I am'? That's the shortest sentence I know."