"And at her time of life, what a needle-woman! And the darning and
mending for the children, it really gets quite beyond me now, Caudle.
Now with mother at my hand, there wouldn't be a stitch wanted in the
house.

"And then, when you're out late, Caudle--for I know you must be out
late sometimes: I can't expect you, of course, to be always at home-
-why then dear mother could sit up for you, and nothing would delight
the dear soul half so much.

"And so, Caudle, love, I think dear mother had better come, don't
you? Eh, Caudle? Now, you're not asleep, darling; don't you think
she'd better come? You say NO?

"You say NO again? YOU WON'T HAVE HER, you say?

"YOU WON'T, THAT'S FLAT?

"Caudle--Cau-Cau-dle--Cau--dle--"


"Here Mrs. Caudle," says her husband, "suddenly went into tears; and
I went to sleep."



LECTURE XII--MR. CAUDLE HAVING COME HOME A LITTLE LATE, DECLARES THAT
HENCEFORTH "HE WILL HAVE A KEY."