Jack and Harry have extensive farms near each other, and are wealthy country gentlemen.
They are fond of outdoor sports, and have recently established a pack of harriers, Tinker and Bogey being respectively first and second whips. In each establishment there was formerly a room kept always ready for Mr. Mole, who went from one to the other as it pleased him, sure of a hearty welcome always.
But, alas! poor Mole is now no more.
Age preyed on his shaken body, and at length laid him on his deathbed.
Even then he could not help referring to the matrimonial portion of his life.
"I have been too much married, Jack. I am 'a wictim to connubiality,' if I may be allowed to quote Sam Weller; but never again, dear boy."
And when only half conscious, he would repeat—"Never again, dear boy," expressing his firm determination not to marry again.
Poor Mole!
After all, he ended his days in peace, and died regretted by all his friends, who, if they had laughed at his failings, also remembered his kindly disposition.
He left behind him sufficient of this world's goods to enable his faithful Chloe to give the twins a good education.