The Meadow-Mouse Children, who had gone to bed soon after the company came, were awakened by the noise of the Grasshopper Hornpipe, which was the most boisterous of all the dances.
Everybody was in such good humor that the little Meadow-Mice were allowed to stay up and come in, to join the fun.
Dancing so much had made everyone hungry; so Father Meadow-Mouse got the corn popper and they popped, and popped, and popped, and ate, and ate, and ate! I don't dare to tell you how much they ate. Especially the four youngsters. The Fairies, too, seemed very fond of the popcorn.
"It's such a nice change from rose pollen and honeysuckle juice," Thistle-Whistle remarked.
Well, finally, Mr. White-Mouse said, "We must really be going now, for it's getting very late."
"And so must we," said the Fairies, and that pleasant evening came to an end.
This, though, was only one of the many merry gatherings at the home of the Meadow-Mice.
Even when no friends dropped in they had fine cosy evenings.
Sometimes they would all play games, sometimes Father Meadow-Mouse would tell one of his entertaining stories, and sometimes Mrs. Meadow-Mouse would sing while Grasshopper Green accompanied her on his fiddle. Here's the chorus of one of her quaint little songs:
