human
Rosebud fine and Rosebud mine, And Rosebud red as the ruby wine, I'll lay you now at my true-love's feet, And tell me who is the sweetest sweet!
gpt
GOOD evening to you all! I said, as I stepped in at the nursery window.
human
This is a night for a journey, if you please. All the rough and unruly Winds are out of the way, for there is to be a match to-night between the North-east wind and a Southern tornado, to see which can blow the harder, and all their relations have gone to look on. But our seven little friends have no liking for such rough bear-play, and they are waiting outside, with a carriage-cloud which will hold you all. So jump up, and call Nibble and Brighteyes. But first, I must know why my Fluff has been crying. You must have cried yourself to sleep, my mouse, and that will never do. Tell your old Moonman what has happened, for I have been watching a battle in Zululand all day, and have seen neither mice nor mouse-trap.
gpt
We have had a very melancholy day, Mr. Moonman! replied Fluff,
human
Vashti Ann has been hanged, and it is a terrible thing to hang your own child, even if Nibble does it for you.
gpt
Vashti Ann hanged! I exclaimed.
human
Dear! dear! how very distressing! what had she done, pray, and how did it all happen?
gpt
We don't think she meant to do it, said Puff gravely;
human
--
gpt
Please do not interrupt me, Fluffy! said Puffy with dignity.
human
And we set her down in front of her mother, and told her to say her lesson like a good baby, only she can't really say it, you know, but we play she does. So then Fluffy went for a walk with the other dolls, but I had to darn a hole in my stocking. Mrs. Posset is teaching me to darn, and it is my duty, but I don't like my duty. So I was sitting by the window, and nobody was doing anything at all, when suddenly Vashti Ann fell right down on the baby's head and --
gpt
cried Fluff, bursting into tears.
human
Killed her all dead into little pieces!
gpt
How very, very shocking! I said.
human
And was the wretched mother hurt herself?
gpt
No! answered Puff.
human
Her head was china, Mr. Moonman, and the baby's was wax, you see.
gpt
I see! said I.
human
The brass pot and the earthen one!
gpt
If you had ever seen Vashti Ann, Mr. Moonman, said Fluff through her tears,
human
And Fluff dried her eyes with the end of the pillow-case, and looked very mournful.
gpt
Well! well! I said.
human
This is certainly very painful. So then you hanged Vashti Ann?
gpt
No, Nibble hanged her, said Fluff,
human
gpt
I certainly would not! said I.
human
But now you must call Nibble, and Brighteyes too, for the little Winds are growing impatient, and we must be off. Dry your eyes, little one, and think what a fine ride you are going to have!
gpt
Where shall we go, my pets? I asked, as I rode along, beside them.
human
You have the wide world to choose from, und shall go just where you please.
gpt
I want to go to the North Pole, Mr. Moonman! cried Nibble.
human
You promised us to take us there, you remember, the last time you came. I want to see the icebergs, and the white bears, and all the wonderful things there are there!
gpt
To the North Pole it is, then! I replied.
human
It is just the night for it, as all the savage Winds are away.
gpt
Fluffy, I said,
human
I must see you smile again. Shall I sing you a song that I heard to-day?
gpt
Yes, if you please, Mr. Moonman! said Fluff meekly.
human
It is a funny little song, I said.
gpt
I heard an Irish mother singing it to her baby. She was sitting by the door of her cottage with the baby in her lap, and she was paring potatoes, and all the parings fell into the baby's face, but he did not seem to mind it at all, so I suppose it was all right.