"Friends, be happy!" called Vanka, smoothing his flaxen curls.
Anya and Katya laughed in their shrill voices, clumsy Bear danced with little Broom, Gray Billy Goat strutted about with Waddling Duck, Clown tumbled about, showing off his tricks, and Dr. Carl Ivanovitch, chatting with Matryona Ivanovna, asked:
"Does your stomach ache, Matryona Ivanovna?"
"Why, no, Carl Ivanovitch," replied Matryona Ivanovna, offended. "What makes you think that?"
"Just show me your tongue," insisted the Doctor.
"Leave me alone, please."
"I'm here," rang the thin voice of Silver Spoon, with which Verotchka ate her cereal. She had been lying quietly on the table until the Doctor spoke of showing a tongue. Then she jumped up, for she knew that the Doctor always needed her help when he looked at Verotchka's tongue.
"Oh, no! Not that!" piped Matryona Ivanovna, waving her arms comically, as if she were a windmill.
"Very well. I will not burden you with my services," said little Spoon, very much offended. She was growing angry, when little Top came spinning up to her and invited her to dance. Top hummed. Little Spoon rang.
Little Slipper could resist no longer. She crept out from under the couch and whispered to little Broom: