“Closure or no closure!” cried his infuriated parent; “if you interrupt me again with your impudence—rascal, street-boy, chatterbox——”
“Order! order!” cried Beppino, pulling at the bell-rope.
“I’ll order you——”
But, just as his father was about to rise, Beppino snatched the smoking-cap from his head, and, putting it on himself, remarked, in a nasal voice—
“Gentlemen, the President has put on his hat, and the discussion is adjourned.”
The violent ringing of the bell summons the mother, two aunts, the housemaid, and the lady’s little dog. These having heard the narrative of Beppino’s unparalleled insolence, are seized with such indignation that they begin to laugh like mad.
The little dog, being unable to laugh like the rest, barks, and evidences his share in the family joys and sorrows by beginning to gnaw his dear master’s embroidered slippers.
Collodi.
STRAY THOUGHTS OF AN IDLER.
“He who sleeps catches no fish,”—but he who keeps awake catches crabs every moment of his life.