Мхи старої садиби

           Onewasthatofanimpertinentcur,which,aftersnuffingattheheelsoftheglisteningfigure,putitstailbetweenitslegsandskulkedintoitsmaster’sbackyard,vociferatinganexecrablehowl.Theotherdissentientwasayoungchild,whosqualledatthefulleststretchofhislungs,andbabbledsomeunintelligiblenonsenseaboutapumpkin.

           Feathertopmeanwhilepursuedhiswayalongthestreet.Exceptforthefewcomplimentarywordstothelady,andnowandthenaslightinclinationoftheheadinrequitaloftheprofoundreverencesofthebystanders,heseemedwhollyabsorbedinhispipe.Thereneedednootherproofofhisrankandconsequencethantheperfectequanimitywithwhichhecomportedhimself,whilethecuriosityandadmirationofthetownswelledalmostintoclamoraroundhim.Withacrowdgatheringbehindhisfootsteps,hefinallyreachedthemansion-houseoftheworshipfulJusticeGookin,enteredthegate,ascendedthestepsofthefrontdoor,andknocked.Intheinterim,beforehissummonswasanswered,thestrangerwasobservedtoshaketheashesoutofhispipe.

           "Whatdidhesayinthatsharpvoice?"inquiredoneofthespectators.

           "Nay,Iknownot,"answeredhisfriend."Butthesundazzlesmyeyesstrangely.Howdimandfadedhislordshiplooksallofasudden!Blessmywits,whatisthematterwithme?"

           "Thewonderis,"saidtheother,"thathispipe,whichwasoutonlyaninstantago,shouldbeallalightagain,andwiththereddestcoalIeversaw.Thereissomethingmysteriousaboutthisstranger.