Scrambled eggs

By LAWTON MACKALL
With illustrations by OLIVER HERFORD
CINCINNATI STEWART & KIDD COMPANY PUBLISHERS
Copyright, 1920, by STEWART & KIDD COMPANY All Rights Reserved Copyright in England
TO Orson Lowell DELIGHTFULEST OF FRIENDS
Eustace was a thorough gentleman. There was candor in his quack, and affability in his waddle; and underneath his snowy down beat a pure and sympathetic heart. In short, he was a most exemplary duck.
Or rather, to be more correct, a drake: for he was a husband, and the proud father of several eggs.
He admired his wife tremendously. Gertrude, he said to her one day, as he squatted beside the nest in his burdock home, you are certainly a wonderful female to have laid those eggs. I can't tell you how I respect you for what you have done.
That's all very well, she replied, preening herself coolly, but I notice you never offer to sit on them.
That's all very well, she replied, preening, but I notice you never offer to sit on them.
Eustace was taken aback. Surely you wouldn't expect me to do that! he said.
I don't see why not. I've been sitting here for over two weeks, and now it seems only fair that you should take your turn.