128 FIVE A GEES TOO MUCH. 



wrong with others. He was shown to the coop, where 

 thirty-seven chickens were busily engaged opening 

 their mouths every few seconds, as though they had 

 taken into their throats a very large-sized grain of 

 corn, and were unable to swallow it. It was an ap 

 palling sight. There was an earnestness and so 

 lemnity about their actions that removed all ludi- 

 crousness, and, with a painful feeling of despair, I 

 asked what could be the matter with them. 



&quot; Why, they ve got the gaps,&quot; Weeville answered 

 at once. 



If there is any thing unpleasant, it is to have a 

 friend, whose advice you have asked on- a serious 

 matter a matter in which your feelings are interest 

 ed, if not otherwise very important take advantage 

 of the opportunity to indulge his wit. A joke is 

 never a joke when uttered at the expense of a friend, 

 or of the creatures, human or animal, for which that 

 friend has an affection. The only way to punish 

 such ill-timed pleasantry is to appear not to have felt 

 it, and I responded carelessly, although internally in 

 dignant, 



&quot; You might better say they had the yawns. But, 

 seriously, what is the matter with them ?&quot; 



&quot; I say they have the gaps ; a whole black pep 

 per 



