But the Catherine Wheel shook her head . `` Romance is dead , Romance is dead , Romance is dead , '' she murmured . She was one of those people who think that , if you say the same thing over and over a great many times , it becomes true in the end . Suddenly , a sharp , dry cough was heard , and they all looked round . It came from a tall , supercilious-looking Rocket , who was tied to the end of a long stick . He always coughed before he made any observation , so as to attract attention . `` Ahem ! ahem ! '' he said , and everybody listened except the poor Catherine Wheel , who was still shaking her head , and murmuring , `` Romance is dead . '' `` Order ! order ! '' cried out a Cracker . He was something of a politician , and had always taken a prominent part in the local elections , so he knew the proper Parliamentary expressions to use . `` Quite dead , '' whispered the Catherine Wheel , and she went off to sleep . As soon as there was perfect silence , the Rocket coughed a third time and began . He spoke with a very slow , distinct voice , as if he was dictating his memoirs , and always looked over the shoulder of the person to whom he was talking . In fact , he had a most distinguished manner . `` How fortunate it is for the King 's son , '' he remarked , `` that he is to be married on the very day on which I am to be let off . Really , if it had been arranged beforehand , it could not have turned out better for him ; but , Princes are always lucky . '' `` Dear me ! ''
said the little Squib , `` I thought it was quite the other way , and that we were to be XXXXX off in the Prince 's honour . ''
cried knew let looked say shaking taken use went whispered