xxvi LETTERS TO MARCO 175 



for him or washing in any way much ; 

 whereas the duck had come from a place 

 where cleanliness was the rule, she having a 

 nice pond in which to swim. The duck, 

 then, after her journey in the hamper, feeling 

 no doubt rather frowsy, and seeing the little 

 pond, at once launched herself on it, and 

 began her ablutions most energetically. 

 The old drake seemed terribly alarmed, 

 running round the edge of the pond and 

 doing all he could to get the duck to come 

 out, until finding she took no notice of his 

 entreaties he finally left her to herself, and 

 ran off in the most unmistakable pique to 

 rejoin his old love Rosie again. Since then 

 he has grown more accustomed to his wife's 

 ways, and even in the summer-time takes a 

 tub himself occasionally. 



This little episode of the drake and Rosie 

 reminded me of Titania's love for Bottom; 

 only in this case the sexes were reversed. 



The pigs I buy young and fatten up and 

 sell They are of a good sort, called here 



