pup from a neighbouring alley ran out
at the sound of his voice to learn the news. A spaniel, with long curly
hair and medicine-basket on his arm, could not resist the temptation of
just stopping to hear, though three servants of one of his master's
patients were scouring the streets in search of him; nor could an
eminent vocalist of the feline tribe, la Signorina Pussetta
Scracciolini, pass by without lending an ear to the wonderful list of
melodies. There was another figure, too, who slackened her pace as she
was passing the group, and by an irresistible impulse seemed compelled
to draw near and listen; she was richly dressed in mantle and hood,
which, thrown gracefully back, displayed a head and neck of aristocratic
proportions; she seemed ill, however, and weak, for her delicate paws
were resting on a stick, as though such aid were requisite, whilst her
short breathing seemed to hint that her sorrows were bringing her nearer
to her doom. She must have been once possessed of considerable beauty,
and even now there was enough remaining to distinguish the Hon. Miss
Greyhound.

Thus surrounded, Bruin vociferated with all the power of his lungs,--

"O ... O ... O ... O ... O ... Y ........... A! Never were such times!
Here you are! only look! Double your own length of songs for one penny!
Enough paper to make yourselves a coat to wrap yourselves in melody!
Only one penny! Five hundred of the choicest songs of the Caterwaullic
and Puppeeyan Amalgamated Harmonic Societies; and upwards of five
hundred more of the most popular ditties of Caneville, and all for one
penny!!"

And then he croaked forth the following doggerel (the most acceptable
poetry, by the way, of the city), in which the titles of the songs were
dragged in, without any regard to order, to make up a rhyme:

"Here's 'What's a Clock?'
And 'Like a rock
He stood upon his dignity;'
With 'Pups alive,'
And 'We are Five,'
And dozens more. Who'll buy? who'll buy?
Here's 'Puss was out,'
And 'Piggy's snout
Was longer far than I can tell;'
With 'Merry Dogs,'
And 'Yellow Frogs'
In scores, I'm ready here to sell.
Here's 'Burning sighs,'
And, 'Ah! those eyes!'
And 'Songs for kittens newly born;'
With 'Stay, oh, stay!'
And 'Don't say nay,'
And some no worse for being worn.
Here's 'Love's an ass!'
And 'Pass the glass,'
And 'Jocky is the dog for me;'
Here's 'Did you ever?'
'No, I never!'
And 'I