This having been made quite clear to them, Little Buttercup continued the story:
Oh, bitter is my cup,
However could I do it?
I mixed those children up,
And not a creature knew it!
“I MIXED THOSE CHILDREN UP”
This was quite an inexcusable piece of carelessness on the part of Little Buttercup. If she had any doubt which was which, she could so easily have tied a bit of blue ribbon round the neck of one, and a luggage-label round the neck of the other. The sailors were surprised at this culpable neglect of duty and replied:
However could you do it?
Some day no doubt you’ll rue it,