n do none of these; but I can _roll up_,
and so set all my enemies at defiance; and I had half a mind to have
done so when I first saw you, but it was hardly worth while, for you
are much smaller than I am, and, besides, to tell you the truth, you
look rather like a good-tempered fellow. Now what other tales have you
heard about my doings?

BRUSH.

Why if you wont be angry, I was going to say, though I didn't believe
it at the time, but I _have_ heard it said that you are _rather fond of
milk_, and don't mind sucking the farmers' cows sometimes.

TOUCHMENOT.

So you have heard that ridiculous story, have you? Well, you say you
don't believe it, so I sha'n't take the trouble to prove what a
monstrous fib it is. Now then, I'll tell you what I have heard about
_you_. I have heard that you _are rather fond of nuts_, and that, not
content with eating as many as you can possibly cram, you are such a
glutton that you carry a great many home with you, on purpose to stuff
yourself with in the winter.

BRUSH.

Well, and what harm? Nuts are very wholesome food, I am sure. And don't
_you_ lay up any store of provisions for the winter, then?

TOUCHMENOT.

Not I, indeed! I am better employed in the winter than in eating. I
sleep _all_ the winter, Mr. Nutcracker! When the weather gets a little
colder, perhaps in a few days, I shall creep into my snug nest which I
have made under the roots of a great tree. There I shall roll myself
up, in my bed of dry leaves, and when once fairly asleep, I am safe
till next spring. Nothing can make _me_ wake up. What a fool I should
be to trouble myself about collecting a quantity of food for the
winter, when I am sound asleep all the time!

BRUSH.

And what do you live upon, when you _are_ awake, if it isn't an unfair
question?

TOUCHMENOT.

Oh, I am not very particular. Almost anything will do at a pinch. I
often make a meal upon roots and vegetables, when I can find nothing
else. But I like animal food much better, such as insects, worms,
snails, bird's eggs, frogs, mice, and now and then I dine upon a snake
when I can contrive to catch him. Well! what's the matter now? What do
you jump up into the tree for?

BRUSH.

Oh, shocking! I never heard anything so dreadful in my life! I beg your
pardon. I mean, I should not like to dine upon snake at all.

TOUCHMENOT.

Very likely not. Tastes differ, you know. But here comes a gentleman
who will most certainly _dine upon you_, if yo