human
There's Nimble now! he exclaimed.
gpt
He just jumped the stone wall and he's coming this way.
human
Here I am! Nimble cried.
gpt
I've come early and I'm ready to help you.
human
Good! said Jimmy Rabbit.
gpt
Step this way, please!
human
Now, Jimmy Rabbit went on,
gpt
What shall I do with my antlers? Nimble asked him.
human
They won't come off, because it's the wrong time of year to shed them.
gpt
Oh! I want your antlers to show too,
human
That's fine! he declared.
gpt
When the moon comes up everybody will be able to see you--except what's hidden by the evergreens.
human
What am I going to do here?
gpt
You're to stand perfectly still,
human
And what else?
gpt
Nothing! Jimmy Rabbit answered.
human
The other guests will do the rest.... And now, if you don't mind, I'll leave you here; for I hear somebody coming.
gpt
There's something I forgot to say, he told Nimble hurriedly.
human
You mustn't talk. You mustn't even open your mouth. You mustn't even chew your cud.
gpt
I suppose I can wink if I want to,
human
No, indeed! Jimmy Rabbit cried.
gpt
That would spoil everything.
human
It's going to be hard, Nimble complained,
gpt
Oh, no! Jimmy Rabbit assured him.
human
It will be easy. Just act as if you were stuffed!
gpt
Stuffed! Nimble exclaimed.
human
I've never been stuffed. I hope I never shall be. And I don't know how to act as if I were.
gpt
Dear me! Nimble muttered.
human
I wish I hadn't said I'd come to the party and help. For it certainly won't be any fun to stand still in this thicket, with only my head and neck sticking out.