6 THE HEN THAT HATCHED DUCKS. 



Red Comb, a charming young Spanish widow, who had just 

 been imported into the neighboring yard. 



&quot;Bless my soul!&quot; said he, &quot;you Ve no idea how cross my 

 wife is.&quot; 



&quot; O you horrid creature ! &quot; said Mrs. Red Comb ; &quot; how 

 little you feel for the weaknesses of us poor hens ! &quot; 



&quot;On my word, ma am,&quot; said Gray Cock, &quot;you do me in 

 justice. But when a hen gives way to temper, ma am, and 

 no longer meets her husband with a smile, when she even 

 pecks at him whom she is bound to honor and obey &quot; 



&quot;Horrid monster! talking of obedience! I should say, sir, 

 you came straight from Turkey ! &quot; and Mrs. Red Comb tossed 

 her head with a most bewitching air, and pretended to run 

 away, and old Mrs. Scratchard looked out of her coop and 

 called to Goody Kertarkut, 



&quot; Look how Mr. Gray Cock is flirting with that widow. 

 I always knew she was a baggage.&quot; 



&quot;And his poor wife left at home alone,&quot; said Goody Ker 

 tarkut. &quot; It s the way with em all ! &quot; 



&quot; Yes, yes,&quot; said Dame Scratchard, &quot; she 11 know what 

 real life is now, and she won t go about holding her head 

 so high, and looking down on her practical neighbors that 

 have raised families.&quot; 



&quot; Poor thing, what 11 she do with a family ? &quot; said Goody 

 Kartarkut. 



&quot;Well, what business have such young flirts to get mar- 



