Queer Little Folks

"Bless my soul," said he, "you've no idea how cross my wife is."

"O you horrid creature " said Mrs. Red Comb. "How little you feel for the weaknesses of us poor hens "

"On my word, ma'am," said Gray Cock, "you do me injustice. But when a hen gives way to temper, ma'am, and no longer meets her husband with a smile -- when she even pecks at him whom she is bound to honor and obey --"

"Horrid monster talking of obedience I should say, sir, you came straight from Turkey." And Mrs. Red Comb tossed her head with a most bewitching air, and pretended to run away; and old Mrs. Scratchard looked out of her coop and called to Goody Kertarkut, --

"Look how Mr. Gray Cock is flirting with that widow. I always knew she was a baggage."