Eccentricities and Absence of Mind, t 97 



into his study, and ranging themselves before 

 him and his wife, solemnly awaited the scold- 

 ing they were about to receive. At its con- 

 clusion the cook, as spokeswoman, burst 

 forth as follows : "I think Missus might 

 know where all the food goes, seeing as ow 

 Master goes a messing about the larder in 

 the middle of the night, and yesterday night 

 ate the whole of a roily -polly pudden in a few 

 seconds." 



After this crushing rejoinder the crestfallen 

 " Druid " meekly dismissed the offending but 

 triumphant domestics : triumphant because 

 they felt more secure than before in giving 

 tea and supper parties to their several " fol- 

 lowers." 



