CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

MRS. HUGGERMUGGER GROWS THIN AND FADES AWAY.


Scrawler, though delighted to get hold of such a story to put into his
book, could not help feeling a superstitious fear that the prediction
might be verified, and some misfortune before the good Huggermuggers.
It could not come from him or any of his friends, he was sure; for
Zebedee Nabbum's first idea of entrapping the giant was long since
abandoned. If he was ever to be taken away from the island, it could
only be by the force of persuasion, and he was sure that Huggermugger
would not voluntarily leave his wife.

Scrawler only hinted then to Huggermugger, that he feared Kobboltozo
was his enemy. But Huggermugger laughed, and said he knew the dwarf
was crabbed and spiteful, but that he did not fear him. Huggermugger
was not suspicious by nature, and it never came into his thoughts that
Kobboltozo, or any other dwarf could have the least idea of his great
secret.

Little Jacket came now frequently to the giant's house, where he
became a great favorite. He had observed, for some days, that Mrs.
Huggermugger's spirits were not so buoyant as usual. She seldom
laughed--she sometimes sat alone and sighed, and even wept. She ate
very little of shell-fish--even her favorite frog had lost its relish.
She was growing thin--the once large, plump woman. Her husband, who
really loved her, though his manner towards her was sometimes rough,
was much concerned. He could not enjoy his lonely supper--he scarcely
cared for his pipe. To divert his mind, he would sometimes linger on