way the world goes!"

"My duck," returned her husband, looking round again, "you said
that before. Which is the way the world goes?"

"Oh, nothing!" said Mrs. Tetterby.

"Sophia!" remonstrated her husband, "you said THAT before, too."

"Well, I'll say it again if you like," returned Mrs. Tetterby. "Oh
nothing--there! And again if you like, oh nothing--there! And
again if you like, oh nothing--now then!"

Mr. Tetterby brought his eye to bear upon the partner of his bosom,
and said, in mild astonishment:

"My little woman, what has put you out?"

"I'm sure _I_ don't know," she retorted. "Don't ask me. Who said
I was put out at all? _I_ never did."

Mr. Tetterby gave up the perusal of his newspaper as a bad job,
and, taking a slow walk across the room, with his hands behind him,
and his shoulders raised--his gait according perfectly with the
resignation of his manner--addressed himself to his two eldest
offspring.

"Your supper will be ready in a minute, 'Dolphus," said Mr.
Tetterby. "Your mother has been out in the wet, to the cook's
shop, to buy it. It was very good of your mother so to do. YOU