“Very good,” agreed the Rabbit.
And the two performers began. But in a few moments the Rabbit stopped.
“I cannot continue,” he said. “I am suffering from cramp in the muscles of my drum-legs.”
“Dear! What a pity!” exclaimed the Mouse. “Come for a walk and brace yourself up.”
“All right!” answered the Rabbit. “We’ll go and fetch the gold pieces which I must give this fellow.”
“Can’t you give me something at once?” asked the Sentry, who did not, in his greed of gold, wish to lose the chance of getting all he could.
“I’ve nothing with me,” replied the Rabbit. And so saying he followed the Mouse, who with his back towards the Sentry had already moved away.