rough the intervention of a well-disposed hurdle and four of the
marrow-bone and cleaver musicians.

Such was the untoward end of the Mumblonian tournament, an event not to
be easily forgotten in the locality in which it took place. It was
subsequently found out, as it ought to have been discovered before, that
both Mr. and Mrs. Mumbles had driven themselves mad by novel and romance
reading, and they were both obliged to be sent to a madhouse for some
time before they could be cured of their egregious folly. But as they
_were cured_, it may be said that the circumstances which I have related
were 'all for the best.'

Malleville's Night of Adventure

I

The Story of Agnes

In a few minutes Beechnut returned with a large rocking-chair, which he
placed by the fire, on one side. He then took Malleville in his arms,
and carried her to the chair, and sat down. Next he asked Phonny to go
out into the entry, and look by the side of the door, and to bring in
what he should find there.

'What is it?' said Malleville.

'You will see,' replied Beechnut. So saying, he placed Malleville in his
lap in such a position that she could see the door and the fire. Her
head rested upon a small pillow which Beechnut had laid upon his
shoulder. By the time that Malleville was thus placed, Phonny came back.
He had in his hand a small sheet-iron pan, with three large and rosy
apples in it. Beechnut directed Phonny to put this pan down upon the
hearth where the apples would roast.

'Who are they for?' asked Malleville.

'One is for you,' replied Beechnut, 'one for Phonny, and one for me. But
we are not going to eat them till to-morrow morning.'

'There ought to be one for Hepzibah,' said Malleville.

'Why, Hepzibah can get as many apples as she wants,' said Beechnut, 'and
roast them whenever she pleases. Only,' he continued, after a moment's
pause, 'perhaps it would please her to have us remember her, and roast
her one together with ours.'

'Yes,' said Phonny. 'I think it would.'

'Then,' said Beechnut, 'you may go, Phonny, and get her an apple. You
can make room for one more upon the pan.'

'Well,' said Phonny, 'but you must not begin the story until I come
back.'

So Phonny went away to get an apple for Hepzibah. In a short time he
returned, bringing with him a very large and beautiful apple, which he
put upon the pan with the rest. There was just room for it. He then set
the pan down before the fire, and took his ow