He then tried releasing his hold upon the trunk but that would not do.

He then extracted the letter with his teeth which effectually prevented him from eating the banana.
What to do?
Steadying himself with one hand (he could not let go the trunk for so much as a moment), he brought the banana to his lips, held it between his teeth and took the letter in his unoccupied hand.

As he bit into the banana the part remaining trembled and hung as on a thread; another moment and it would drop.

The predicament was tragic.

Slowly, but surely and steadily, the remainder of the banana broke away and fell--into the hand that held the letter.
Holding both letter and banana in the one perspiring palm, Pee-wee devoured first the one and then the other.