But in his reply, he said, if he had to take a part, he must enjoy the sport
from his own home; they were to arrange for him to do so; and so they did.
The little toy theatre was therefore put up in such a way that the money-pig
could look directly into it. Some wanted to begin with a comedy, and
afterwards to have a tea party and a discussion for mental improvement, but
they commenced with the latter first. The rocking-horse spoke of training
and races; the wagon of railways and steam power, for these subjects
belonged to each of their professions, and it was right they should talk of
them. The clock talked politics-”tick, tick;” he professed to know what was
the time of day, but there was a whisper that he did not go correctly. The
bamboo cane stood by, looking stiff and proud: he was vain of his brass
ferrule and silver top, and on the sofa lay two worked cushions, pretty but
stupid. When the play at the little theatre began, the rest sat and looked on;
they were requested to applaud and stamp, or crack, when they felt gratified
with what they saw. But the riding-whip said he never cracked for old
people, only for the young who were not yet married. “I crack for
everybody,” said the cracker.
“Yes, and a fine noise you make,” thought the audience, as the play went
on.
It was not worth much, but it was very well played, and all the characters
turned their painted sides to the audience, for they were made only to be
seen on one side. The acting was wonderful, excepting that sometimes they
came out beyond the lamps, because the wires were a little too long. The
doll, whose neck had been darned, was so excited that the place in her neck
burst, and the money-pig declared he must do something for one of the
players, as they had all pleased him so much. So he made up his mind to
remember one of them in his will, as the one to be buried with him in the
family vault, whenever that event should happen. They all enjoyed the
comedy so much, that they gave up all thoughts of the tea party, and only
carried out their idea of intellectual amusement, which they called playing
at men and women; and there was nothing wrong about it, for it was only
play. All the while, each one thought most of himself, or of what the
