THIS WAS A GOOD ONE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue XVI, 19 October 1895, Page 504

THIS WAS A GOOD ONE.

‘Did I tell you the latest bright thing my little boy got off?’ asked M’Bride, as be joined a group of friends at the club. ‘Yes, you did,’replied all in concert, with discouraging unanimity. ‘ That’s where I’ve caught you,’ retorted M’Bride, ‘ for it only happened last evening, and I haven’t seen a soul of you fellows since. Besides, this was really a good one.’ • Then you haven’t told it to us,’ replied Kilduff, speaking for the crowd. •Go on. ’ • Yes, tell us quickly,’ added Skidmore, ‘and let us have the agony over.’ Thus encouraged, M’Bride began : * You know, boys, little people have sharp ears, and they are not at all backward about telling any little scraps of information they pick up. This peculiarity has led a good many parents to resort to spelling words when their children are present. Of course that sort of thing is of no avail after the youngsters learn to spell. Well, Mrs M’Bride and I are in the spell ing stage now,and little Freddy is often very much mystified by our remarks to each other. Last night we had our new minister to dinner, and Freddy watched the good man helping himself very liberally to biscuits. He thought it a good opportunity to put into use the family verbal cipher, feeling perfectly certain that the minister would find it unintelligible. So he called out, * Mamma !’ • What is it, Freddy ?’ asked my wife. • Mamma, isn’t the minister ap-i g ?’ so called out Freddy triumphantly. The fellows had to admit that the story about M’Bride’s boy was a really good one.

There is nothing more aggravating to a man with a secret than to meet people who have no curiosity.