s, you will Joe,' replied Liza, cheerfully; 'you know you always
were a handy man; you can cut the carpets and curtains every bit as well
as mother can. And as for the ottomy's, I'll make you a dozen or two
when I'm home, and I'll bring 'em to you next week, or what's better
still, you can fetch 'em. Don't you think its Joe's turn to return our
visit, mother?'

"'Indeed I do,' replied the old woman, 'and Joseph knows he'll be
welcome.'

"And thus it was arranged, and in about ten days' time Joe went to their
house, and carried them a very glowing account of the remarkable success
that had attended him "along of the parlours;" he also opened his heart
so much, that he actually took me with him, as an offering to Liza. I am
very much afraid the glory of those horrid little new parlours had quite
put him out of conceit with me. Liza had been as good as her word, and
furnished Joe with a pocket full of ottomy's, all covered with gay
shreds of chintz. The nurse at Mrs. Spenser's had sent them a most
bountiful collection of bits, for she had spoken to her mistress, and
told her the purpose she was collecting them for, and Mrs. Spenser, with
her usual kindness, had herself found a good parcel of bits to add to
the store.

"On hearing this, Joe thought he could do no less than to leave me with
his humble and grateful duty to the young ladies at Mrs. Spenser's
house, on his way back to his own underground home. And so this is how I
became a member of your circle, my friends, and have had the honour of
being called on to amuse you in my turn. I believe, from a few words I
heard nurse let fall some time ago, that my old master is still alive,
and doing a flourishing trade in "Kitchens and Parlours!" And I have no
doubt he is still carrying out his less lucrative, but charitable
calling, among the sick children of his wretched neighbourhood."

"We are all much obliged to you for your history," said the Ball, "which
is quite as interesting as any we have heard this evening. And now I
shall call upon our very fair friend the Shuttlecock for the next
story."

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VIII.

THE FATE OF THE SHUTTLECOCK.

"Oh," simpered the Shuttlecock, "I am quite distracted at the idea of
being called upon to take any part in public affairs. And, alas, how it
will torture my sensitive feelings to recall to mind the bright scenes
in which I appeared, and was once one of the most important actors! Ah,