White mice, little and pink-eyed, nibbled and squeaked, while the friendly cats lapped their milk close by; and even the parrots seemed to love the monkeys—a thing never heard of before.
But how could they all fail to be happy together, living as they did, in a menagerie! Oh! how the boys and girls envied them, feeling that they would almost be willing to give up quarreling with their dear brothers and sisters to enjoy such a life!
"Trixie," cried Tom, when they had wandered away from the Happy Family, "come and see this queer big pin-cushion!"
"What is it?" she asked, starting back.
"A porcupine," said Tom, laughing loudly. He had startled the strange animal, which, fearing some danger near, had rolled itself into a ball, and thrust out the quills with which it protects itself.
"Would you like to pet and smooth it, Gay?" asked Mr. Barnum.