"Certainly," assented the Kettle; "the more the merrier, you know."
"I think we should be extremely careful about admitting strangers to our circle, unless they bring letters of introduction," said the Teapot primly.
As for the Saucepan, she contented herself with looking sideways at the Caterpillar, and coughing contemptuously. This was not very pleasant; so the Cricket trotted up to the two rebellious members, and gave them a pretty sharp lecture upon the laws of courtesy and good breeding, which served effectually to make them ashamed of themselves. The visitors now became angry, and began to talk together of leaving without delay, which naturally distressed the good-hearted president, who was so much affected by a desire to do something pleasant, that he swung himself wildly upon the hook, and thereby sprinkled those below with a stream of scalding water.
"Mercy!" shrieked the Wasp, dancing on one foot in an agony.
"Oh, my back!" groaned the Caterpillar, rolling himself about in a ball.
"What ails you, Kettle?" cried the poor Cricket, running about with his eye almost put out from receiving a whole drop in it. "Do keep your hot water to yourself."
The Spider alone was unhurt; so he merely shook himself, and sat chuckling at the discomfiture of the others.
After doing all this mischief, the Kettle subsided, with many meek apologies.
"We can give you references enough, if that is all you want," said the Wasp snappishly; "but we had better leave, I think, comrades, before we have another hot bath. My hind leg is completely disabled."
"Do not go," urged the Cricket. "We should enjoy your society so much, I am sure, when we become better acquainted."