Once Tootles began , which was not very often , he had a silly way of going on . ` As I ca n't be father , ' he said heavily , ' I do n't suppose , Michael , you would let me be baby ? ' ` No , I wo n't , ' Michael rapped out . He was already in his basket . ` As I ca n't be baby , ' Tootles said , getting heavier and heavier , ` do you think I could be a twin ? ' ` No , indeed , ' replied the twins ; ` it 's awfully difficult to be a twin . ' ` As I ca n't be anything important , ' said Tootles , ` would any of you like to see me do a trick ? ' ` No , ' they all replied . Then at last he stopped . ' I had n't really any hope , ' he said . The hateful telling broke out again . ` Slightly is coughing on the table . ' ` The twins began with mammee-apples . ' ` Curly is taking both tappa rolls and yams . ' ` Nibs is speaking with his mouth full . ' ' I complain of the twins . ' ' I complain of Curly . ' ' I complain of Nibs . ' ` Oh dear , oh dear , ' cried Wendy , ` I 'm sure I sometimes think that children are more trouble than they are worth . ' She told them to clear away , and sat down to her work-basket : a heavy load of stockings and every knee with a hole in it as usual .
` XXXXX , ' remonstrated Michael , ` I 'm too big for a cradle . ' '
Michael Nibs Tootles Wendy anything basket mammee-apples tappa work-basket yams