human
Here we all are! cried Puff, joyfully.
gpt
Is the party ready, Brighteyes? I think Peepsy is very impatient, though he behaves beautifully.
human
Yes, everything is ready! replied Brighteyes.
gpt
Here is Peepsy's throne in the middle, and these hay-cocks are ours. Put him on his throne, Puffy--so! now all sit down yourselves, please, and take the dolls in your laps.
human
Now, continued Brighteyes,
gpt
Oh! I am the Bold Baron of Borodino, said Nibble.
human
Puff and Fluff can be the Princess Perriwinkle and the Marchioness of Mulligatawney, and Downy shall be Nosolio, the Niggardly Knife-Grinder of Nineveh. There's a fine name for you, Downy, boy!
gpt
Yef, I'm dat, only I tan't say it.
human
And now, said Nibble,
gpt
Nibble said this with a very lordly air, and waved his hand with great dignity; but unfortunately at that moment he lost his balance, and rolled off the hay-cock, to the great amusement of the other mice. But Brighteyes uttered a cry of distress.
human
Oh! Nibble, you have rolled on Tomty's cup of tea and upset it. What shall we do?
gpt
Never mind, Miss! said Tomty, smiling,
human
Well, Tomty, you shall hear the speeches, anyhow, said Nibble, consolingly,
gpt
he added,
human
But Tomty declined the bird, with many thanks; and now the
gpt
began in earnest. Grim was untied, and a sharp whistle from Tomty brought Gruff and Grab to see what was going on. Each dog received a huge bone as his share of the feast, and each showed his delight in his own way. Then the five gingerbread birds were distributed, and the wooden turkey, which was certainly a work of art, was placed before Peepsy's cage with a great deal of ceremony. Peepsy himself manifested no excitement, but no doubt he enjoyed himself in his own way. Then the turkey was handed round to all the dolls, Fanny Elssler and Katinka and Sally Bradford; and Puff declared that they all had as much as they could possibly eat, which was probably true. When the feast was over, Nibble rose and said, solemnly,
human
gpt
Is it the little tin fowl in the cage, sir? asked Tomty.
human
Well, Mr. Peepsy, I've lived forty years, men and boy, and never made a speech yet, sir, but here's wishing you good health, and long life to you, Mr. Peepsy; and if you live till you sing a song, you'll come to a good old age, I'm thinking.
gpt
When I bought him at Jane Evans's shop, Peepsy was glad. Now that he is one year old and knows that he won't be it any more, Peepsy is sad.
human
That is poetry, he added,
gpt
Peepsy, I am afraid you think it is very hard that you have to stay in your cage all the time. I know I should not like to live in a cage, but then I am not afraid of cats. But if you were to come out and be alive, you would be dreadfully afraid of the china cat in the doll-house, you know you would. Thus we see that all things are for the best! and I am sure your cage is a perfect beauty, which must be a great comfort. Perhaps you think you would like some worms, Peepsy; and we would certainly get you some if you could eat them, but you cannot. My dear Peepsy, I will now conclude my speech, wishing you many happy returns of the day.
human
Let Fluffy read the pottery! said Puff.
gpt
I am so hot, and my head aches so, I don't think I can make my speech.
human
Miss Puff, dear, the sun is too hot for you. Shall Tomty give you a ride on his shoulder, and we'll find Mrs. Posset?
gpt
Yes, please, Tomty! said Puff, wearily;
human
I am so _very_ tired, though I don't know why I should be.