"Thousands of times."

"Bringing bags of gold? O Hal! Hal!"

"I want to know," continued David, who had been digesting the
startling fact, "how the pig swings the bag on his back? I don't
think ours could do it."

"It's a sort made on purpose," said Hal.

"Made on purpose by Mr. Henry Merrifield," said Susan, at last able
to speak. "Don't believe one word, David dear; Hal is laughing at
you."

"But how does a pig do it?" asked David, returning to the charge.

"Why do you want to know, my dear?" asked Miss Fosbrook.

"Mary's sister said so."

"I know," exclaimed Susan; "Davy went out with the nursery children
to-day, and they went to see Mary's sister. Her husband is drowned
because he was a sailor; and the Mermaid went to South America; and
there are five little tiny children."

"Of the mermaid's?" cried Harry.

"No, no; the Mermaid was the ship, and it was wrecked, and they have
noticing to live upon; and she takes in washing, and is such a nice