5O MOTHER MAGPIE'S MISCHIEF. 



" O Mrs. Magpie, pray don't speak to my husband ; he 

 will think I Ve been complaining." 



" No, no, he won't ! Let me alone. I understand just 

 how to say the thing. I Ve advised hundreds of young 

 husbands in my day, and I never give offence." 



"But I tell you, Mrs. Magpie, I don't want any inter- 

 ference between my husband and me, and I will not have 

 it," says Mrs. Oriole, with her little round eyes flashing 

 with indignation. 



" Don't put yourself in a passion, my dear ; the more 

 you talk, the more sure I am that your nervous system is 

 running down, or you would n't forget good manners in this 

 way. You 'd better take my advice, for I understand just 

 what to do," and away sails Mother Magpie ; and pres- 

 ently young Oriole comes home, all in a flutter. 



" I say, my dear, if you will persist in gossiping over 

 our private family matters with that old Mother Magpie " 



" My dear, I don't gossip ; she comes and bores me to 

 death with talking, and then goes off and mistakes what 

 she has been saying for what I said." 



"But you must cut her." 



" I try to, all I can ; but she won't be cut. 



" It 's enough to make a bird swear," said Tommy Oriole. 



Tommy Oriole, to say the truth, had as good a heart as 

 ever beat under bird's feathers ; but then he had a weakness 

 for concerts and general society, because he was held to be, 



