[CHAPTER III.
WHICH IMPROVES OUR ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE GRASSHOPPER MAN.]
'I am going to Nullepart on Sunday,' cried little Peter.
'Pfui! what a traveller,' answered the charcoal-burner. 'And how do you go? In a coach and four, on the back of a fiery dragon, in the giant's seven-league boots, or flying through the air with the wild ducks, there, crying "Quack, quack, quack, we are all going south because the snow is coming? "'
'I shall walk, of course, like a big boy,' said little Peter. 'But the snow isn't coming just yet, is it?'
'They all say it will be here in a day or two.'
John Paqualin shook his head, and looked up at the sky. He was sitting on the rough, wooden bench set against the southern wall of his hut, with his back bent, and his elbows resting on his thin knees. Little Peter climbed up on to the bench beside him. It was rather difficult, you see, because the bench was a very high one, to suit the length of the charcoal-burner's long legs.
'Who are they?' asked the boy, as soon as he had settled himself comfortably. He tried to lean forward with his elbows on his knees like his companion; but his short legs were dangling, and his feet were far off the ground, and he did not find it altogether easy to keep his balance.