“Charcoal-Butter,” chimed in the obliging gypsy babies.
“Grasshopper! Grasshopper!” roared Pepito and thereupon began to skip about, his fat hands clasped under his knees, gasping as tunefully as he could:
“Grasshopper sent me an invitation
To come and share his occupation.
Grasshopper dear, how could I say no?
Grasshopper, Grasshopper, here I go!”
“Hush! hush!” urged Pilarica. “We will play Larán-larito, and Pepito shall be the cheese.”
So Pepito, easily rolling himself up into a round, soft ball, proudly occupied the center of the scene, while the others, suiting their action to the words of the song, danced about him, ever drawing nearer and nearer, ready for the final pounce.
“The shepherdess rose lightly
—Larán-larán-larito—
The shepherdess rose lightly
From off her heather seat—O.
“Her goats went leaping homeward
—Larán-larán-larito—
Her goats went leaping homeward
On nimble little feet—O.
“With strong young hands she milked them
—Larán-larán-larito—
With strong young hands she milked them
And made a cheese for treat—O.
“The kitty watched and wondered
—Larán-larán-larito—
The kitty crept and pondered
If it were good to eat—O.
“The kitty sprang upon it
—Larán-larán-larito—
The kitty sprang upon it,
As we spring on Pepito.”