"Jack's on the sick list, and the gal won't stir a'thout him." "Ay," returned Gabbett, "that's it." "My dear friends," said the Crow, "my keyind and keristian friends, it is to be regretted that when natur' gave you such tremendously thick skulls, she didn't put something inside of 'em.

I say that now's the time.

Jack's in the 'orspital; what of that?
That don't make it no better for him, does it?
Not a bit of it; and if he drops his knife and fork, why then, it's my opinion that the gal won't stir a peg.

It's on his account, not ours, that she's been manoovering, ain't it ?" "Well!" says Mr.Gabbett, with the air of one who was but partly convinced, "I s'pose it is." "All the more reason of getting it off quick.

Another thing, when the boys know there's fever aboard, you'll see the rumpus there'll be.
They'll be ready enough to join us then.