"Mamma dear," lisped the little girl, "baby ood have put hith eyeth out."

     "How dare you tell me so?" retorted Mrs. Pocket. "Go and sit down in your chair this moment!"

     Mrs. Pocket's dignity was so crushing, that I felt quite abashed, as if I myself had done something to rouse it.

     "Belinda," remonstrated Mr. Pocket, from the other end of the table, "how can you be so unreasonable? Jane only interfered for the protection of baby."

     "I will not allow anybody to interfere," said Mrs. Pocket. "I am surprised, Matthew, that you should expose me to the affront of interference."

     "Good God!" cried Mr. Pocket, in an outbreak of desolate desperation. "Are infants to be nut-crackered into their tombs, and is nobody to save them?"

     "I will not be interfered with by Jane," said Mrs. Pocket, with a majestic glance at that innocent little offender. "I hope I know my poor grandpapa's position. Jane, indeed!"