How it does burn things up! I hope beefsteak is cheap. I won't ask
anybody to eat this, all covered with ashes. I'll never try to broil any
again on top of a stick of wood! I won't try that 'steamboat pudding.'
Sounds as if 'twould burn, and I know it would. Let 'em go without
pudding."

After the most tiresome afternoon she had ever spent in her life, Mother
Hubbard went down with Fly, whom she dared not leave by herself, to call
her boarders to dinner.

CHAPTER V.

MOTHER HUBBARD'S DINNER.

This was Mrs. Allen's "reception-day," the day on which she always staid
at home, that her friends might be sure of finding her in.

"Not at home," Nathaniel had kept saying to visitors that afternoon. But
one of them, a queenly-looking lady, would not be satisfied with the
answer.

"Are the children here?" demanded she. "Those nieces and nephews?"

Nathaniel did not know exactly what reply to make; so he invited the
lady into the parlor, and went to inquire.

Dr. Moonshine and Lady Magnifico were in the drawing-room, looking over
engravings.

"Gnat, gnat, you troublesome insect," said the doctor. "I heard auntie
tell you we were not to be disturbed."

"But what could I say?" asked the insect, humbly. "I couldn't tell her
'not at home.'"

"You must say, 'Beg to be excused;' those are the proper words," said my
lady.

"Yes," added the doctor; "go, there's a good gnat, and sting 'em like
sixty, if they don't start quick."

Nathaniel obeyed, looking as dignified as ever, though nothing but a
strong sense of propriety kept him from smiling.

He had not crossed the hall before Mother Hubbard entered the parlor,
dragging Fly, who was pinned to her skirts.

Mother Hubbard was flushed and excited, her nose dusted with flour, her
cap pulled entirely over her forehead; and she was saying, in a loud
tone, "I can't take any peace of my life, Fly Clifford, you know I
can't, unless I get you fastened somehow."

"I don't 'low folks to _fassin_ me," responded Fly, shaking her lace cap
in a blaze of wrath; "the next that _fassins_ me, I'll _scwatch who did
it_!"

It was not at all like either of the children to talk in this way, any
more than it was like them to be dressed in such ridiculous costume. The
effect upon the lady visitor was quite startling. She started, smiled,
rose from her chair, and held out her hand.

"Now tell me if this isn't Miss Prudy Parlin. I have seen your picture,
my love."

What eyes, to