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THE MONEY-PIG 503
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 wonderfulty 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 the resolution to do something for one of the players, and to remember him in his will as the one who should be buried with him in the family vault when matters were so far advanced.
It was true enjoj^ment, so that they quite gave up the thoughts of tea, and only carried out the idea of mental recreation. That 's what the}^ called playing at men and women ; and there was no malice in it, for they were only playing ; and each one thought of himself and of what the Money-pig might think ; and the Money-pig thought farthest of all, for he thought of making his will and of his burial. And when might this come to pass ? Certainly far sooner than was expected. Crack ! it fell down from the cupboard—fell on the ground, and was broken to pieces ; and the pennies hopped and danced : the little ones turned round like tops, and the bigger ones rolled away, particularly the one great Silver Dollar who wanted to go out into the world. And he came out into the world, and they all succeeded in doing so. The pieces of the Money-pig were put into the dust-bin ; but the next day a new Money-pig was standing on the cupboard : it had not yet a farthing in its stomach, and therefore could not rattle, and in this it was like the other. But that was a beginning—and with that we will make an end. |
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