“Is the Sailor getting along nicely?” asked Miss Guff.
“Fine as a fiddle! Fine as a fiddle!” answered the sparrow. “Wants to walk, ’e’s feelin’ so well, but the Doctor makes ’im stay in the litter and ride.”
“Well, we have got to get busy and do somethin’ for the boys,” cried Grandpa. “We’ve got to give ’em a big feed and decorate the place with flags and show ’em we’re glad to see ’em.”
“We’ll get up a grand supper for them,” cried Mrs. Lover, “and we’ll have a dance afterwards.”
“I’ll bring over a big chunk of cheese,” cried the mouse that had joined the crowd.
“I’ll get some fat worms for the supper,” cried Tilly, and instantly she blushed a deep brown. “Oh, I forget you don’t eat worms. Well, I’ll get some sunflower seeds.”
“I’ll donate a few nuts,” said Nick, the squirrel, who had been hoping for a chance to speak.
“Oh, I forgot to say that the General said ’e would come in ahead of the army so ’e could review them as they marched into the village,” cried Tilly.
“He’s going to review the troops, did you say?” asked Grandpa, who was hard of hearing.
“Yes!” shouted Tilly, right into the old gentleman’s ear. “The General is goin’ to review the army.”