Читать книгу The Most Beloved Animal Tales for Christmas Eve - Beatrix Potter - Страница 23

“Mew! Mew!” interrupted Simpkin, and he scratched at the door.

But the key was under the tailor’s pillow; he could not get in.

The little mice only laughed, and tried another tune —

“Three little mice sat down to spin,

Pussy passed by and she peeped in.

What are you at, my fine little men?

Making coats for gentlemen.

Shall I come in and cut off your threads?

Oh, no, Miss Pussy, you’d bite off our heads!”

“Mew! Mew!” cried Simpkin. “Hey diddle dinketty?” answered the little mice —

“Hey diddle dinketty, poppetty pet!

The merchants of London they wear scarlet;

Silk in the collar, and gold in the hem,

So merrily march the merchantmen!”

They clicked their thimbles to mark the time, but none of the songs pleased Simpkin; he sniffed and mewed at the door of the shop.

“And then I bought

A pipkin and a popkin,

A slipkin and a slopkin,

All for one farthing —

and upon the kitchen dresser!” added the rude little mice.