He humbly exclaimed, whilst his head he was scratching.

"Pray do me the honour to step just into

This bit of a dwelling—it p'rhaps may want thatching;

Still the holes in the roof make the fire burn better,

Though rain, than is pleasant oft makes us much wetter."

"No, what I would say I will speak here outside,—

'Tis of the old lady who yesternight died."

"She dead! Oh no, no! Though I oft wished she were,

Still yonder she sits in the corner down there,

On the edge of a tub, for want of a chair."