Chapter 8, The Humbug Volunteers Summary

Everyone is stuffed after the feast. As King Azaz begins to give a speech, everyone except Milo, Tock and the Humbug (who has fallen over backwards from overeating) rushes from the room. When Milo points this out, the king becomes sad and says he does not know what to do. The Humbug offers a slew of unhelpful suggestions, but Milo quietly suggests letting Rhyme and Reason return from the Castle in the Air. The king admits that this would be nice, but it is impossible.

The Humbug begins agreeing with both sides of the conversation, affirming that it is impossible with the king. He then asks "why?" Eventually, both Milo and the king demand that the Humbug explain how the rescue of Rhyme and Reason could be accomplished, which the bug does. The Humbug describes each extraordinarily...