"Wait for me here," said the Great Green Grasshopper's wife; "I sha'n't be long!" And she leapt like a jump-jim-crow and landed three yards clear of the hedge.
She really was some time away, but at last she reappeared driving the Skipjacks in front of her.
"It is so troublesome to keep them straight," she explained; "the little idiots! Look at them."
The Great Green Grasshopper's Wife Reared Herself up Backwards and began to beat Time with her Hind Legs
They certainly were a queer flock to manage, for they could only move by jumps, and when they jumped even they themselves had no idea of where they were jumping to. However, by driving them in front of her she managed to keep a few of them together, and at last she got them into their places.
"You must fiddle," she said, "as you never fiddled before. The band shall not be beaten by a grass-blade. Now altogether—one, two, three, four!"
It was really much better that time, and though Winnie could not pick up the tune, everybody else seemed quite pleased with themselves.
"That's better!" said the Great Green Grasshopper's wife. "Now again!"
But before the words were out of her mouth the great hall clock chimed in, Ting—Ting—Ting—Ting——