with blue ink upon his right arm.

There were two persons present, however, who didn't regard JEFFRY
MAULBOY as a little god. One was the Hon. MICHAEL LADLE; the other was
ANN BRUMMET.

She was putting her tongue out, and making faces at him from behind an
apple-tree. A lady who saw her said it improved her appearance.

When BELINDA chose JEFFRY, he very deliberately took a chew of tobacco,
and said he wouldn't play.

"This is the sickest croquet party I ever saw," said BELINDA. "All
backing out. Spos'en I take you then, you dear old buffer," she added,
addressing the Hon. MICHAEL.

"I may be an old buffer," said the Hon. Member from the West, but I am
young enough for anything here. As STOWE BYRON says:

"Oh, days of my childhood's hours,
I'm a gazin' on ye yit."

He was interrupted by JEFFRY MAULBOY.

"You say you are young enough for anything here," said he; "suppose you
and I try a little mill out back of the house."

"Young man," replied the Hon. MICHAEL, "if there's one mistake in life
that your parents grieve over, it is probably the mistake of your birth.
If you don't have any serious drawbacks, and are careful of your health,