MRS. P. Oh, I can do without seeing him every day, thank you. Is he as fat as ever?
MRS. D. How you _do_ go on about his being fat, Mrs. Pringle. You don't want me to starve the child, do you?
MRS. P. No, but there's a lot of difference between starving and over-feeding. I'm sure my Billy don't get the half of what you give Humpty, and just look at him!
MRS. D. Look at him, indeed! Humpty only gets the same as we get, and has done ever since he's been born. I suppose your Billy gets nothing but bread and milk.
MRS. P. He didn't have pork chops when he was six months old, if that's what you mean, Mrs. Dumpty.
MRS. D. Well, I was never one to grudge a baby a bit of anything it cried for, and no one can say Humpty's not a fine boy now.
MRS. P. He may be a fine boy, but he is a very naughty one. He makes more noise than all the rest of the boys put together. [_Noise heard outside._] That sounds like him now.
MRS. D. It's just his high spirits, Mrs. Pringle. I like a boy to have a bit of spirit. [_Enter HUMPTY with a great noise._
MRS. D. Don't you see Mrs. Pringle, dear?
HUMPTY. Yes, I wish I didn't. I don't like Mrs. Pringle.
MRS. D. Oh, Humpty, I'm surprised at you.
MRS. P. [_offended_]. I think I'd best be going, Mrs. Dumpty.
HUMPTY. Look out that you don't miss the procession, Mrs. Pringle.
HUMPTY. Haven't you heard? All the King's horses and all the King's men are coming along here on their way to the Coronation.
MRS. D. Well, that's very nice. I'll take you to the end of the road, and we'll look at them.
HUMPTY. But we needn't go to the end of the road--they pass right along here. I shall only have to get on the wall and I shall see beautifully.
MRS. D. You're not to get on without me holding on to you. I'm not going to have you falling off and breaking all your bones.
MRS. P. I don't believe he's got bones to break. He is made of nothing but fat and naughtiness.
HUMPTY [_boisterously_]. That's right, Mrs. Pringle. Stick up for me.
MRS. P. I'm not sticking up for you, you naughty boy--I'm only sorry for your poor mother having such a son. So unlike my Billy!
MRS. D. Oh, it's only his playful way, Mrs. Pringle. Run along and wash your face, Humpty, there's a good boy.
MRS. D. Well, I'm sure I don't know what the King will say if he sees you with a face like that.