Most of the four-footers “toddled.” Some did the old-time polka, because it used all of their legs evenly, beating four time, you see.
The birds danced a two-step
Ready saw that Paf wanted dreadfully to dance and was without a partner, so he asked him. They managed somehow to get about. In fact, many thought Paf’s quite awkward out-of-time step was something new, and several young chickens tried to copy it.
Then the Eagle raised his rod, and immediately the dancing and music stopped.
“Refreshments are coming next,” whispered Paf breathlessly.
Ready was glad to hear this, as he had had nothing to eat since breakfast, but Paf was mistaken this time. When all was quiet the Eagle said fiercely:
“Four-footers asking for wishes will now come forward. We may as well get this part of the program over at once, for from what I hear of the beasts this year, it will take a very short time.”
Then he tapped his rod three times and said, “Ready!”
Little Ready started to his feet. This was certainly his great chance, but he wished, oh so much, that refreshments had come first, as his knees were weak from hunger and from pulling around Paf.