Lucy was rather frightened at all this, and thought, on the whole, she would not make any more calls that day.
So she went home. And there were Grandmamma and the doctor and Mamma, all waiting for her, with very grave faces.
The two first had arrived, breathless and agitated, inquiring what had happened, and who was ill.
Much perplexity followed. And now that the author of all the mischief had arrived, what should be done to her?
Lucy’s finger went into her mouth, and her head went down.
But she told her story truthfully; and it was such a funny one that the doctor burst into a roar of laughter, and Grandmamma laughed heartily, and even Mamma could not look grave.
So Goosey Lucy had a lecture, and a New Year’s cookie, and went to tell her dolls all about it, while Mamma and Grandmamma and the doctor went to see how Aunt Maria was.
THREE little birds Sat upon a tree. The first said “Chirrup!” The second said “Chee!” The third said nothing, (The middle one was he,) But sat there a-blinking, Because he was a-thinking. “Pee-wit! pee-wit! Yes, that is it! Pee-wip, pee-wop, pee-wee!”
Three little birds Sat upon a bough. The first said, “When is dinner-time?” The second said, “Now!” The third said nothing, (The middle one was he,) But sat there a-blinking, Because he was a-thinking. “Pee-wit! pee-wit! Yes, that is it! Pee-wip! pee-wop! pee-wee!”
Three little birds Flew down to the ground, And soon, by working very hard, A fine fat worm they found. The third flew down between them, (The middle one was he,) And ate it up like winking Because he had been thinking. “Pee-wit! pee-wit! Yes, that is it! Pee-wip! pee-wop! pee-wee!”
THE Quacky Duck stood on the bank of the stream. And the frogs came and sat on stones and insulted him. Now the words which the frogs used were these,—
“Ya! ha! he hasn’t any hind-legs! Ya! ha! he hasn’t any fore-legs! Oh! what horrid luck To be a Quacky Duck!”
These were not pleasant words. And when the Quacky Duck heard them, he considered within himself whether it would not be best for him to eat the frogs.
“Two good things would come of it,” he said. “I should have a savoury meal, and their remarks would no longer be audible.”
So he fell upon the frogs, and they fled before him. And one jumped into the water, and one jumped on the land, and another jumped into the reeds; for such is their manner. But one of them, being in fear, saw not clearly the way he should go, and jumped even upon the back of the Quacky Duck. Now, this displeased the Quacky Duck, and he said, “If you will remove yourself from my person, we will speak further of this.”