with two enormous snakes, one made of stamps, and the other a spiral
of whalebone shavings out of a box.

The monster immediately tumbled over, twisted, kicked, and wriggled
so that the scandalised Perseus exclaimed: "But Jock-—monster, I
mean-—you're turned into stone-—"

"It's convulsions," replied the monster, gasping frightfully, while
redoubling his contortions, though Queen Mab observed in the most
admonitory tone, touching him at the same time with her wand, "Don't
you know, Skipjack, that's the reason you don't grow-—"

"Eh! What's the new theory! Who says so, Babie?" came from the
bottom of the table.

"Nurse says so, papa," answered Allen; "I heard her telling Jock
yesterday that he would never be any taller till he stood still and
gave himself time."

"Get out, will you!" was then heard from the prostrate Robert, the
monster having taken care to become petrified right across his legs.

"But papa," Janet's voice was heard, "if Oliver Cromwell had not
helped the Waldenses—-"

It was lost, for Bobus and Jock were rolling over together with too
much noise to be bearable; Grandmamma turned round with an
expostulatory "My dears," Mamma with "Boys, please don't when papa is
tired-—"