The young girls dance for the Rats, then play a curious game of tennis: They fail to understand Smaly's point of view.
The convalescent Rats all sat in a row upon a circular bench, still holding between their fingers the musical instruments which now lacked mouthpieces.
To distract their thoughts some charming young girls of the country, dressed in fine and beautifully embroidered stuffs, began to dance and juggle for their amusement.
Some of the dances were very complicated and elaborate; but some, on the other hand, were so simple that the performers had no need to exert themselves at all. They merely seated themselves upon the ground and sniffed luxuriously at jasmine and heliotrope blossoms. This dance was so simple that it was not necessary for there to be any dancers.
After several of these simple and extremely comfortable dances the Rats begged the young girls to play a game of tennis.
Accordingly eight of the most accomplished players arranged themselves about the court, and at each corner they placed two teacups to hold the balls.
Thus there were eight teacups.
The court was divided by a rose-coloured ribbon.
Four players arranged themselves on either side of the ribbon, each standing behind the other.
The two leaders in each group held rackets made of vermicelli, while the two couples standing behind held rackets made of stretched parchment.