“That’s a very good idea,” said brother Nibby. “How you do think of things!”
“Which one of us had better ask her?” said Malkin.
“Oh, that should be you, brother,” said Nibby.
“I think you should be the one,” said Malkin.
“Oh, no indeed, brother Malkin, no, no, no, no, no,——”
“I’ll tell you!” cried Merrimeg, jumping to her feet, out of all patience with these gnomes. “I do want to be white! I do! I do!”
“I believe she wants to be white,” said brother Malkin.
“I’m pretty sure of it,” said Nibby.
“Then you’d better tell her to come along with us,” said Malkin.
“Oh dear no, brother, I think you should be the one to tell her,” said brother Nibby.