polite,
We're selfish as can be,
We sit on stools around the fire,
Just singing merrily!"

CHAPTER VII

When Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes rode home with Grandpa Grumbles in his
green cotton umbrella they sang a merry song,

"Oh, ho! It is fun to go riding along,
Singing and whistling a right merry song."

The umbrella came to the chimney of Grandpa Grumbles' house. It began
to close up a little.

"Help, help!" cried Snubby Nose, "we shall be squeezed to death!"

Tippy Toes sat very still. He made himself as small as possible.

Grandpa Grumbles said,

"Down my chimney every one goes,
How we shall travel the umbrella knows!"

Then whisk! Before they could wink an eyelash they were safely down the
chimney.

Snubby Nose cried and he screamed and he howled!

Tippy Toes danced this way, and he danced that way, and said, "Oh,
Grandpa Grumbles, how I enjoyed the ride!"

Grandpa Grumbles said,

"Off to bed when the merry winds blow,
So back up the chimney old Grandpa can go."

Snubby Nose said, "You are not going to leave us alone in this house
are you?" Then he cried and he screamed and he howled!

Tippy Toes danced this way, and danced that way, and before they could
say another word, whisk! up the chimney old Grandpa Grumbles was off
and away. He went off to ride in his green cotton umbrella.

Tippy Toes kissed Snubby Nose and led him before the mirror, singing,

"Who will visit us to-day?"

The mirror answered,

"Bushy-Tail is on his way."

Snubby Nose said, "What fun it is to have the mirror talk. Come, let us
bolt the doors and windows. We will not let Bushy-Tail in."

They danced again before the mirror and sang,

"We're locked in safely, that we know,"

The mirror said,

"Down the chimney he can go."

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes said, "Oh" and "Ah," and "Oh" and "Ah." "We
never thought of the chimney! What shall we do with the chimney?"

They built a roaring fire, and none too soon, for they could hear the
"patter, patter, patter" of feet upon the roof.

Bushy-Tail climbed down from the roof. He looked in at the window and
said, "Please let me in, please let me in."

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes sat as still as they could in their little
chairs by the fire and never winked an eyelash.

Bushy-Tail said, "Let me in or I will come down the chimney, fire or no
fire."

Then Snubby Nose coughed and Tippy Toes sneezed.