Мхи старой усадьбы

           Theverypipe,inwhichburnedthespellofallthiswonderwork,ceasedtoappearasasmoke-blackenedearthenstump,andbecameameerschaum,withpaintedbowlandambermouthpiece.

           Itmightbeapprehended,however,thatasthelifeoftheillusionseemedidenticalwiththevaporofthepipe,itwouldterminatesimultaneouslywiththereductionofthetobaccotoashes.Butthebeldamforesawthedifficulty.

           "Holdthouthepipe,mypreciousone,"saidshe,"whileIfillitfortheeagain."

           ItwassorrowfultobeholdhowthefinegentlemanbegantofadebackintoascarecrowwhileMotherRigbyshooktheashesoutofthepipeandproceededtoreplenishitfromhertobacco-box.

           "Dickon,"criedshe,inherhigh,sharptone,"anothercoalforthispipe!"

           Nosoonersaidthantheintenselyredspeckoffirewasglowingwithinthepipe-bowl;andthescarecrow,withoutwaitingforthewitch’sbidding,appliedthetubetohislipsanddrewinafewshort,convulsivewhiffs,whichsoon,however,becameregularandequable.

           "Now,mineownheart’sdarling,"quothMotherRigby,"whatevermayhappentothee,thoumuststicktothypipe.Thylifeisinit;andthat,atleast,thouknowestwell,ifthouknowestnoughtbesides.Sticktothypipe,Isay!Smoke,puff,blowthycloud;andtellthepeople,ifanyquestionbemade,thatitisforthyhealth,andthatsothephysicianorderstheetodo.