Page:Fairy tales and other stories (Andersen, Craigie).djvu/361

Rh 'Each one has his own peculiar value,' said the Go-Cart: 'we cannot all be noblemen. There must be some who do the work, as the saying is.'

The Money-pig was the only one who received a written invitation, for he was of high standing, and they were afraid he would not accept a verbal message. Indeed, he did not answer to say whether he would come, nor did he come: if he was to take a part, he must enjoy the sport from his own home; they were to arrange accordingly, and so they did.

The little toy theatre was now put up in such a way that the Money-pig could look directly in. They wanted to begin with a comedy, and afterwards there was to be a tea party and a discussion for mental improvement, and with this latter part they began immediately. The Rocking-Horse spoke of training and race, the Go-Cart of railways and steam power, for all this belonged to their profession, and it was something they could talk about. The Clock talked politics—ticks—ticks—and knew what was the time of day, though it was whispered he did not go correctly; the Bamboo Cane stood there, stiff and proud, for he was conceited about his brass ferrule and his silver top, for being thus bound above and below; and on the sofa lay two worked Cushions, pretty and stupid. And now the play began.

All sat and looked on, and it was requested that the audience should applaud and crack and stamp according as they were gratified. But the Riding-Whip said he never cracked for old people, only for young ones who were not yet married.

'I crack for everything,' said the Cracker.

And these were the thoughts they had while the play went on. The piece was worthless, but it was well played; all the characters turned their painted side to the audience, for they were so made that they should only be looked at from that side, and not from the other; and all played wonderfully well, coming out quite beyond the lamps, because the wires were a little too long, but that only made them come out the more. The mended Doll was so affected that she burst at the mended place in her neck, and the Money-pig was so enchanted in his way that he formed