Мхи старої садиби

           Itslungs,stomach,andotheraffairsofthatkindwerenothingbetterthanamealbagstuffedwithstraw.Thuswehavemadeouttheskeletonandentirecorporosityofthescarecrow,withtheexceptionofitshead;andthiswasadmirablysuppliedbyasomewhatwitheredandshrivelledpumpkin,inwhichMotherRigbycuttwoholesfortheeyesandaslitforthemouth,leavingabluish-coloredknobinthemiddletopassforanose.Itwasreallyquitearespectableface.

           "I’veseenworseonesonhumanshoulders,atanyrate,"saidMotherRigby."Andmanyafinegentlemanhasapumpkinhead,aswellasmyscarecrow."

           Buttheclothes,inthiscase,weretobethemakingoftheman.Sothegoodoldwomantookdownfromapeganancientplum-coloredcoatofLondonmake,andwithrelicsofembroideryonitsseams,cuffs,pocket-flaps,andbutton-holes,butlamentablywornandfaded,patchedattheelbows,tatteredattheskirts,andthreadbareallover.Ontheleftbreastwasaroundhole,whenceeitherastarofnobilityhadbeenrentaway,orelsethehotheartofsomeformerwearerhadscorcheditthroughandthrough.TheneighborssaidthatthisrichgarmentbelongedtotheBlackMan’swardrobe,andthathekeptitatMotherRigby’scottagefortheconvenienceofslippingitonwheneverhewishedtomakeagrandappearanceatthegovernor’stable.Tomatchthecoattherewasavelvetwaistcoatofveryamplesize,andformerlyembroideredwithfoliagethathadbeenasbrightlygoldenasthemapleleavesinOctober,butwhichhadnowquitevanishedoutofthesubstanceofthevelvet.