"
"Nonsense!" Rudolf turned round on him angrily. "Of course you'll go.
You're the youngest, and you've _got_ to mind us." And then without
paying any more attention to Peter, Rudolf thrust himself in front of
the Sandman. "Here we are," he said. "We're all ready."
The Sandman looked the boy up and down, consulted his list again,
smiled and shook his head very doubtfully.
"I'm sorry," he said, "but I'm afraid you don't exactly answer. Just
listen to this." And he read aloud: "Number one. Boy: polite and
gentlemanly in manner--brown hair neatly smoothed and parted--Eton
suit, clean white collar, boots well polished--Latin grammar under
arm--"
He stopped. Rudolf, in his pajamas, with his ruffled locks, tin
sword, and angry expression, did not answer very closely to
this description. The Cook-who-liked-living-in-the-Country, the
Gardener-with-the-Generous-Disposition, and several other Good Dreams
burst out laughing. Only the False Hare kept a solemn expression, but
Rudolf knew very well what _that_ meant.
The Sandman continued: "Number two. Little girl: modest and timid in
her manners, not apt to address her elders until spoken to--hair
braided neatly and tied with blue ribbon--white apron over dark
dress--doing patchwork with a pleased expression. Has not forgotten
thimble--"
Here Sandy was interrupted by the Cook and the Gardener, who declared
that if he didn't stop they'd die a-laughin', that they would! The
False Hare wiped away a tear, and none of the dreams seemed to
consider the description correct.
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