CHAPTER V.
MOTHER HUBBARD'S DINNER.
This was Mrs.Allen's "reception-day," the day on which she always staid at home, that her friends might be sure of finding her in.
"Not at home," Nathaniel had kept saying to visitors that afternoon.

But one of them, a queenly-looking lady, would not be satisfied with the answer.
"Are the children here ?" demanded she.

"Those nieces and nephews ?" Nathaniel did not know exactly what reply to make; so he invited the lady into the parlor, and went to inquire.
Dr.Moonshine and Lady Magnifico were in the drawing-room, looking over engravings.
"Gnat, gnat, you troublesome insect," said the doctor.

"I heard auntie tell you we were not to be disturbed." "But what could I say ?" asked the insect, humbly.

"I couldn't tell her 'not at home.'" "You must say, 'Beg to be excused;' those are the proper words," said my lady.
"Yes," added the doctor; "go, there's a good gnat, and sting 'em like sixty, if they don't start quick." Nathaniel obeyed, looking as dignified as ever, though nothing but a strong sense of propriety kept him from smiling.
He had not crossed the hall before Mother Hubbard entered the parlor, dragging Fly, who was pinned to her skirts.
Mother Hubbard was flushed and excited, her nose dusted with flour, her cap pulled entirely over her forehead; and she was saying, in a loud tone, "I can't take any peace of my life, Fly Clifford, you know I can't, unless I get you fastened somehow." "I don't 'low folks to _fassin_ me," responded Fly, shaking her lace cap in a blaze of wrath; "the next that _fassins_ me, I'll _scwatch who did it_!" It was not at all like either of the children to talk in this way, any more than it was like them to be dressed in such ridiculous costume.