MR. VINEGAR

Mr. and Mrs. Vinegar lived in a vinegar bottle. Now, one day, when Mr.
Vinegar was from home, Mrs. Vinegar, who was a very good housewife,
was busily sweeping her house, when an unlucky thump of the broom
brought the whole house clitter-clatter, clitter-clatter, about her
ears. In an agony of grief she rushed forth to meet her husband.

On seeing him she exclaimed, "Oh, Mr. Vinegar, Mr. Vinegar, we are
ruined, I have knocked the house down, and it is all to pieces!" Mr.
Vinegar then said: "My dear, let us see what can be done. Here is the
door; I will take it on my back, and we will go forth to seek our
fortune."

They walked all that day, and at nightfall entered a thick forest.
They were both very, very tired, and Mr. Vinegar said: "My love, I
will climb up into a tree, drag up the door, and you shall follow." He
accordingly did so, and they both stretched their weary limbs on the
door, and fell fast asleep.

In the middle of the night Mr. Vinegar was disturbed by the sound of
voices underneath, and to his horror and dismay found that it was a
band of thieves met to divide their booty.

"Here, Jack," said one, "here's five pounds for you; here, Bill,
here's ten pounds for you; here, Bob, here's three pounds for you."

Mr. Vinegar could listen no longer; his terror was so great that he
trembled and trembled, and shook down the door on their heads. Away
scampered the thieves, but Mr. Vinegar dared not quit his retreat till