So you have heard that ridiculous story, have you? Well, you say you don't believe it, so I sha'n't take the trouble to prove what a monstrous fib it is. Now then, I'll tell you what I have heard about _you_. I have heard that you _are rather fond of nuts_, and that, not content with eating as many as you can possibly cram, you are such a glutton that you carry a great many home with you, on purpose to stuff yourself with in the winter. BRUSH. Well, and what harm? Nuts are very wholesome food, I am sure. And don't _you_ lay up any store of provisions for the winter, then? TOUCHMENOT. Not I, indeed! I am better employed in the winter than in eating. I sleep _all_ the winter, Mr. Nutcracker! When the weather gets a little colder, perhaps in a few days, I shall creep into my snug nest which I have made under the roots of a great tree. There I shall roll myself up, in my bed of dry leaves, and when once fairly asleep, I am safe till next spring. Nothing can make _me_ wake up. What a fool I should be to trouble myself about collecting a quantity of food for the winter, when I am sound asleep all the time! BRUSH. And what do you live upon, when you _are_ awake, if it isn't an unfair question? TOUCHMENOT. Oh, I am not very particular. Almost anything will do at a pinch. I often make a meal upon roots and vegetables, when I can find nothing else. But I like animal food much better, such as insects, worms, snails, bird's eggs, frogs, mice, and now and then I dine upon a snake when I can contrive to catch him. Well! what's the matter now? What do you jump up into the tree for? BRUSH. Oh, shocking! I never heard anything so dreadful in my life! I beg your pardon. I mean, I should not like to dine upon snake at all. TOUCHMENOT. Very likely not. Tastes differ, you know. But here comes a gentleman who will most certainly _dine upon you_, if you don't get up a little higher into the tree; for though he can't climb, he is a pretty good leaper. For my part, I scorn to run away from any animal, large or small. Stay where you are, and you will see some fun. * * * * *