How surprised Jem was when they went in ! The house was splendidly furnished , the walls and ceiling of marble , the furniture of ebony inlaid with gold and precious stones , the floor of such smooth slippery glass that the little fellow tumbled down more than once . The old woman took out a silver whistle and blew it till the sound rang through the house . Immediately a lot of guinea pigs came running down the stairs , but Jem thought it rather odd that they all walked on their hind legs , wore nutshells for shoes , and men 's clothes , whilst even their hats were put on in the newest fashion . ` Where are my slippers , lazy crew ? ' cried the old woman , and hit about with her stick . ` How long am I to stand waiting here ? ' They rushed upstairs again and returned with a pair of cocoa nuts lined with leather , which she put on her feet . Now all limping and shuffling was at an end . She threw away her stick and walked briskly across the glass floor , drawing little Jem after her . At last she paused in a room which looked almost like a kitchen , it was so full of pots and pans , but the tables were of mahogany and the sofas and chairs covered with the richest stuffs . ` Sit down , ' said the old woman pleasantly , and she pushed Jem into a corner of a sofa and put a table close in front of him . ` Sit down , you 've had a long walk and a heavy load to carry , and I must give you something for your trouble . Wait a bit , and I 'll give you some nice soup , which you 'll remember as long as you live . ' So saying , she whistled again . First came in guinea pigs in men 's clothing . They had tied on large kitchen aprons , and in their belts were stuck carving knives and sauce ladles and such things . After them hopped in a number of squirrels . They too walked on their hind legs , wore full Turkish trousers , and little green velvet caps on their heads . They seemed to be the scullions , for they clambered up the walls and brought down pots and pans , eggs , flour , butter , and herbs , which they carried to the stove .
Here the old woman was bustling about , and Jem could see that she was cooking something very special XXXXX him .
At after for in of that through till to with