He could not sleep that night—not that he suffered from remorse for his crime, but because he was carried away by the graciousness of the great Queen of the Birds. The next morning Brother Tiger brushed his clothes, curled his mustache, and went to the spot where the grand ball was to be given. As soon as it was seen that he was coming, the Queen of the Birds exclaimed:
"Take your places for a quadrille, and let all dance with their heads under their wings. Music, play! trumpets, sound! and you, drums, beat! Whereupon, the orchestra began to play one of its most delightful airs for the dance:
"Tumpy, tumpy, tum-tum!
Tum-tum, tum-tum!
Tumpy, tumpy, tum-tum!
Tum-tum ti!"
Then the Queen of the Birds flew and met Brother Tiger, and made him welcome.
"My dear friend, you are late!" she exclaimed. "The festivities have already begun."
"I trust your majesty will excuse me," said Brother Tiger, "my clock stopped during the night."
"That is nothing," said the Queen; "come!"