"Of course, his nose is too big," continued Matryona Ivanovna, "but that is hardly noticeable, if you look at him sideways. I know he has a bad habit of squealing and squabbling with people but he is really very kind. And as for brains ..."
She was unable to finish because the Dolls began to argue with so much heat that they attracted everybody's attention. The first to interfere was, of course, Petrooshka himself.
"It's true, Matryona Ivanovna," said he, "I am the handsomest here."
Then the men were all offended.
"Just listen to this conceited Petrooshka!" said they. "It's disgusting!"
Clown was not much of a talker, so he was silently offended. But Dr. Carl Ivanovitch almost shouted:
"Does that mean that the rest of us are monsters? Gentlemen, I congratulate you!"
There was great noise and confusion. Gypsy shouted something in his own language. Bear growled. Wolf howled. Gray Billy Goat bawled. Top hummed. They all shouted their offense.
"Gentlemen, stop!" pleaded Vanka. "Please pay no attention to Petrooshka. I am sure he was only jesting."
It was all in vain. Carl Ivanovitch was noisier and more excited than the rest. He even pounded his fist on the table and shouted: