"A rhinoceros said to a louse,
'I'll stamp you flat on the ground!'
The louse made tracks for his house,
And there he is now to be found.
"A grasshopper sat in the grass,
And said to a chimpanzee:
'Your coat I will thank you to pass,
That I may attend a partie.'
"A snoop who stood on the stoop
Asked of his fellow boarder
If hairs he found in the soup.
The hostess?—'Twas malice toward her!
"A crab who enjoyed a joke,
Gave his mama a kick.
And when she dropped at his poke,
He laughed till the tears fell thick."
"Hey, there!" the little girls shouted boisterously. "Jolly! More, more! Jo!"
"A stock-fish, deaf-and-dumb born,
Once said to a billy-goat:
'Of my head I see I am shorn—
'Twas you did it, silly goat!'"
"There, there, Johannes! That will do. Now you are getting foolish," said the mother.
"Oh, no, Mama! Only funny!" cried Frieda and Olga. "He is so funny! Go on, Jo!"
But Johannes was quite disconcerted by the mother's comment, and there was no further exposition of "Sketches from Animal Life."
In the evening Johannes drove with the countess in the state-coach to Lady Crimmetart's. Milady dwelt in a very handsome house—a castle in a large park. From a distance, Johannes could see the brightly lighted windows, and also the vehicles in front of the pillars, at the entrance.
Overhead, an awning was spread, and a long strip of heavy, bright-red carpeting laid down, so that the guests might be protected in passing from their carriages to the magnificent vestibule. The way was lined with lackeys—full twenty on each side. They looked very impressive, all of them tall and heavy, wearing knee-breeches of yellow plush, and red lace-trimmed coats. Johannes was puzzled because they all seemed to be such old men. Their hair was white as snow. That was powder, however, and it added to their dignity. How small and shabby Johannes felt while running the gauntlet of those liveried lackeys!
Indoors, Johannes was completely blinded by the dazzling light. He ascended a vaulted staircase, the broad steps of which were of many-colored marble. He saw vaguely, flowers, electric lamps, variegated carpets, broad, conspicuously white expanses of shirt-linen bordered with black coat, and bare necks adorned with gems and white lace. He heard a subdued murmur of soft voices, the rustling of silk clothing, the announcement of names.