"Never mind, Paulina; it is a warm summer day."
Was it the great butterfly who spoke? No one else was near, and he was sunning himself among the elder blossoms.
"Ho, ho, ho! away they go,
High and low, swift and slow,
Over and over, heels over head,
Peter and all the mannikins red."
Paulina now listened breathlessly.
"That is to say, the mannikins have red jackets and caps, and they are rolling along so fast, with Peter in the midst of them, that you will find it quite impossible to overtake them."
"Are you speaking to me?" said Paulina.
"Of course I am. Can't you hear what I am saying? I am the Red Emperor."
"Then please, good Mr. Red Emperor, fly away, and tell Peter to come home again."
"I am an Emperor," replied the butterfly, "and I cannot be ordered by a little girl. You must get back Peter yourself."
"But I can't see Peter. Where is he?"