the last thing we do. I am sorry about it all, I really am...’
Already the ten Oompa-Loompas were rolling the enormous blueberry
across the floor of the Inventing Room towards the door that led to the
chocolate river where the boat was waiting. Mr and Mrs Beauregarde
hurried after them. The rest of the party, including little Charlie Bucket
and Grandpa Joe, stood absolutely still and watched them go.
‘Listen!’ whispered Charlie. ‘Listen, Grandpa! The Oompa-Loompas in
the boat outside are starting to sing!’
The voices, one hundred of them singing together, came loud and
clear into the room: ‘Dear friends, we surely all agree
There’s almost nothing worse to see
Than some repulsive little bum
Who’s always chewing chewing-gum.
(It’s very near as bad as those
Who sit around and pick the nose.)
So please believe us when we say
That chewing gum will never pay;
This sticky habits bound to send
The chewer to a sticky end.
Did any of you ever know
A person called Miss Bigelow?
This dreadful woman saw no wrong