“Sing a song a sixpence, pocketful of rye;
Four and twenty blackbirds baked into a pie:
When the pie was opened, the birds be”—
At that moment his eye fell upon “Mrs. Mulligachunk.” She sat there in a row with the others, and seemed to be listening just the same as anybody. The people, who were all on the watch, burst out laughing; and Mr. Tompkins had to laugh too, in spite of all he could do.
Hiram sprang up. “Mother Goose,” cried he, “let me introduce you to Mrs. Mulligachunk.”
Mother Goose replied by taking off her things, and throwing them at Mrs. Mulligachunk.
Then Hiram asked the Jimmies if they didn’t want to take Mrs. Mulligachunk to ride.
“Yes, yes! yes, yes!” they shouted.
Hiram then put Mrs. Mulligachunk into the roller-cart,—bundle, umbrella, and all. The Jimmies caught hold of the handle, and away they ran like two smart little ponies, Snip barking behind with all his might.
Mr. Tompkins was about to follow; when Annetta and cousin Floy suddenly called out, “Forfeit, forfeit! You’ll have to be judged!”