hey all sat down and enjoyed a substantial breakfast.
Before the repast was quite finished, and while the King was looking the
other way, Bill walked round the ring formed by the army as they sat
upon the grass, and collected birthday presents for the old monarch.
Every one was delighted to give something to His Majesty to show how
much they appreciated his greatness, and when the old chap received the
many gifts, all done up in one brown paper parcel, he was so overcome
that he could hardly stammer forth his thanks. And this is what he
found in the parcel when, with trembling hands, he had succeeded in
opening it:--

From Bill, A bone-handled, two-bladed
pocket-knife, a little rusted,
but with only one blade
missing.
From Noah, Some string.
From Ratchett, 8 brace buttons (very bright).
From the Twins {Quentin, Wooden top of peg-top.
{Hannibal, Iron peg of same.
From Randall, Ferrule of umbrella.
From Nero, More string.
From Biddulph, Dial of old watch (not cracked
very much).
From Knut, Glass marble (beautifully
coloured).
From Chad, 2 pear drops (old, but in good
condition).
From the other children
collectively, Twenty last year's horse
chestnuts on string (very
hard).
From the Ancient Mariner, Piece of wood skilfully cut
into the form of a pebble.
From the Absent-Minded
Indian, Nothing.
From the Triplets, 3 bunches of violets.
From the Respectable Gentleman, His visiting-card.
From the Boy Scout, One of the Killgruel town-keys
he had swallowed.
From the Sicilian Char-woman, Small piece of soap.
From the Long Man, Wren's egg.
From Boadicea, A hat full of ripe blackberries.
From the Doctor, Half of cough lozenge.
From Ptolemy Jenkinson, A last year's ticket for a box.

Every