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THE ROGUES HOLIDAY. |
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The cock seeing that they were slight thin people, who would not require much room, allowed them to enter the carriage, only making them promise not to step on the hen's feet.
Late at night they reached a roadside inn, and by this time the duck was getting so tired that her legs were unsteady, and she waddled terribly. So they stopped at the inn and asked for supper and a night's lodging. The landlord made many objections at first—his house was already full, and he thought these new comers did not look quite respectable.
However, the cock flattered the old landlord, and promised that whatever eggs the hen and the duck might lay while they stayed should be his. So the landlord gave them shelter, and glad enough they were of a night's rest.
Early in the morning, however, just as it began to dawn, and while every one else was asleep, the cock and hen awoke, and seeing the egg which she had laid they made a good breakfast on it, and threw the shell into the kitchen fire. Then they went to the pin-cushion, where the needle and pin still lay asleep, and carrying them away stuck the needle in the cushion of the landlord's arm-chair and the pin in his towel.
After performing these tricks they flew away with the greatest indifference through the open window, and across the heath.
The duck, who preferred the open air, had roosted in the outer court, and was awoke by the rustle of wings; rousing herself quickly, she plumed her feathers, and espying a stream near, partly flew and partly waddled down to it; for to swim home would be far better than drawing that heavy carriage.
A few hours after this, the landlord arose and prepared to wash himself; but on taking up his towel to wipe his face, the point of the pin made a long red scratch right across from one ear to the other.
It was rather painful \ but he dressed himself quickly, and went into the kitchen to light his pipe. As he stooped to put in a match, out popped a piece of burnt egg-shell into his eye.
The pain made him start back, and sink down into his grandfather's arm-chair, which stood near; but he started up again more quickly than he had sat down, for the needle in the cushion pricked him terribly.
Then was the landlord very angry, and began to suspect his |
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