Page 24 - Nutshell 2

“Well, all right, I’ll try it,” said Q bravely. “I’ve always wondered what
it would be like to stand next to X: I could let my middle sag a little and
there would still be plenty of room.”
“You know,” said M to Q, “I’m never anywhere near you in a real
word. Can I get into this—this whatever-it-is, too?”
“Sure,” said Q. “Without U trailing along behind me, there’s no way
for any of you to combine with me and make a word.”

Although the rest of the letters stood around admiring the
indescribable qualities of this original combination, U was insulted by Q’s
remarks. “Two can play at this game,” said U. “Your whatever-it-is
doesn’t have any vowels, so no matter how pretty it looks, it still doesn’t
sound very nice. I’m going to get some of my friends together and make
something more musical.”
And U rounded up a few letters and arranged them very neatly in a
row, just like a word. But it wasn’t a word, even though it could be
pronounced.