The Sloth opened the folder of contributions for the forthcoming Marylebone Monthly Illustrated Christmas Supplement and saw to his horror there was nothing at all in it.

“Dash it all!” he exclaimed. “We’ll be going to press in less than two weeks’ time.”

Hurriedly, he dashed off a note to the rest of the staff and the other regular contributors, demanding that they get their finger or paw out and produce something as soon as possible. The last four words were underlined three times in red ink.

He ignored the various groans and complaints as the recipients read their messages.