54. 



"I really don't understand you, ma'am," said poor Dr. 

 Bullfrog. 



" What ! you have n't heard of a committee that is going 

 to call on you, to ask you to resign the care of the parish 

 music ? " 



"Madam," said Dr. Bullfrog, with all that energy of tone 

 for which he was remarkable, " I don't believe it, I cant 

 believe it. You must have made a mistake." 



" I mistake ! No, no, my good friend ; I never make 

 mistakes. What I know, I know certainly. Was n't it I 

 that said I knew there was an engagement between Tim 

 Chipmunk and Nancy Nibble, who are married this blessed 

 day ? I knew that thing six weeks before any bird or beast 

 in our parts ; and I can tell you, you are going to be 

 scandalously and ungratefully treated, Dr. Bullfrog." 



" Bless me, we shall all be ruined ! " said Mrs. Bullfrog ; 

 "my poor husband " 



" O, as to that, if you take things in time, and listen to 

 my advice," said Mother Magpie, "we may yet pull you 

 through. You must alter your style a little, adapt it to 

 modern times. Everybody now is a little touched with the 

 operatic fever, and there 's Tommy Oriole has been to 

 New Orleans and brought back a touch of the artistic. If 

 you would try his style a little, something Tyrolean, you 

 see." 



"Dear madam, consider my voice. I never could hit the 

 high notes." 



