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 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 cheese-cakes . '' `` Curly is taking both butter and honey . '' `` 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 spinsters are to be envied . '' 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 -LSB- scolded -RSB- Michael , `` I 'm too big for a cradle . ''
Curly Michael Nibs Tootles Wendy butter cheese-cakes spinsters twins work-basket