The Exploits of Moominpappa (Moominpappa's Memoirs) by Tove Jansson Page A

fishing-frog carried a bracket lamp in each ear, and everybody cheered like mad.
    The bleak sea became illuminated with purple, red, and chrome-yellow sea anemones, and the serpents wheeled and turned somersaults.
    We sailed home in triumph, criss-crossing over the Ocean, and we never quite knew whether the lights that shone through our port-holes were stars or fishes. Toward morning we sighted our island again, and by then most of us felt rather sleepy.



CHAPTER 8
    In which I give an account of the circumstances of the Muddler's wedding, further touch on the dramatic night when I first met Moominmamma, and finally write the remarkable closing words of my Memoirs.
    T EN miles (nautical) off the coast we sighted a dinghy carrying a signal of distress.
    'It's the Autocrat,' I said in shocked tones. 'Do you think there can have been a revolution so early in the morning?'
    'Revolution?' Hodgkins said and changed to full speed ahead. 'I hope my nephew's safe.'
    'What's up?' the Mymble shouted when we reached the dinghy and it drew alongside.
    'Up? Up!' Daddy Jones replied irritably. 'Everything's up. I mean, wrong. You'll have to come home at once.'
    'Have the forgotten bones extracted their revenge at last?' asked the Island Ghost hopefully.
    'It's your Muddler again,' the Autocrat panted as he climbed aboard. 'Take care of the dinghy, somebody! We came out to meet you Ourselves because We don't trust any of Our subjects.'
    'The Muddler?' exclaimed the Joxter.
    'Exactly,' replied the Autocrat. 'Of course We have nothing whatever against the marriage, but We won't stand for seven thousand Niblings and a savage Aunt in Our kingdom.'
    'Who's marrying?' the Mymble asked.
    'The Muddler, silly,' replied the Autocrat.
    'Impossible,' Hodgkins said.
    'Impossible or not, the wedding's today,' Daddy Jones answered.
    'Who's the girl?' I cried, unable to hide my surprise.
    'A Fuzzy,' said the King. 'Full speed ahead, please! Well, they fell head over heels in love at first sight, and they've been swapping buttons and running about holding hands and being generally silly ever since, and now they've sent a telegram to an aunt (but the Muddler says she's possibly eaten) and to seven thousand Niblings and invited them all to the wedding. And of course Our kingdom's in grave danger. The Niblings eat anything! Give Us a glass of wine, please!'
    'Could it be that they've invited the Hemulen Aunt?' I asked, greatly shocked, and handed the Autocrat his drink.
    'I suppose so,' he replied. 'An aunt with only half a snout and ill-tempered into the bargain. We are all for surprises but We like to make them Ourselves.'
    We were nearing the coast.
    At the end of the pier the Muddler was standing with the Fuzzy at his side.
    'Well?' Hodgkins said and put in at the pier.
    'Excuse me!' the Muddler cried. 'I'm married!'
    'Me too!' the Fuzzy said and dropped a curtsey.
    'But We told you to wait until the afternoon, didn't We?' exclaimed the Autocrat. 'Now you've spoiled the big wedding party!'
    'Excuse us, please, we couldn't wait,' said the Muddler. 'We're so much in love!'
    'Oh dear me, dear me!' cried the Mymble and rushed over the gangway. 'The best of luck to you both! What a sweet little Fuzzy! Give them three cheers, kiddies, they're married already!'
    'They're past helping now,' said little My.
    *
    At this point Moominpappa was cut short by Sniff who sat up in his bed and cried: 'Stop!'
    'Father's reading about his youth,' said Moomintroll reproachingly.
    'And about my daddy's youth,' replied Sniff with unexpected dignity. 'I've heard a lot about the Muddler so far. But this is the first time I have heard about a Fuzzy!'
    'I've forgotten to tell you,' said Moominpappa unhappily.
    'You forgot my mother! ' Sniff cried.
    The door to the bedroom opened and Moominmamma looked in.

    'Still awake?' she said. 'Did I hear somebody cry for mother?'
    'It was me,' Sniff said and jumped out of his bed. 'Just think of it! Here we've heard lots and lots about daddies,