88 ARDENMOHR. 



ends at one extremity like a mole, and at the other 

 resembling a duck ? " 



"Ah, yes, Major; but he seems to have settled' 

 down, and compromised with the forcing system, as 

 his remains are found in very early strata, and 

 indicate he has made no progress for at least a million 

 of years in bones or beak ; and, by the way, I once 

 heard a funny conundrum on this curiosity. Why is 

 he like a tradesman at Christmas ? " 



" I can't say." 



"Because he is a beast with a bill." 



" Oh, how jolly good ! " cried Fred. " \ must 

 book that for school." 



"Why, Fred," said Hope, "what can you know 

 about bills, unless it be for hardbake or a cricket- 

 bat?" 



" You would wonder : many of our fellows owe 

 good sums for dress and trinkets." 



" But you avoid that, Fred, surely ? " 



"I think so: by no merit, as I get what pocket- 

 money I need, and I am not a great swell." 



We had a good laugh at the little man, which he 

 bore like a Spartan ; but he is not the sort to injure 

 others for his indulgence : I never met a more 

 unselfish boy. 



