24 THE HISTORY OF DAME MITCHELL

searched under the chairs and tables, and finally ran out
upon the landing, crying out, ©

“ Mowmouth! Mowmouth! where are you?”

“He does not answer me,” said she: “but, when I
went down just now, Sharpphiz was with him; perhaps
he can tell me what’s become of him.”

So she went immediately and knocked at the butler’s
door. He pretended to awake from a sound sleep, and in-
quired, in a harsh voice, what they wanted with him.

“Ts not Mowmouth here?”

“You know he never comes to my room; you know he
can’t bear me.”

* Alas! where is he, then? I left him in the drawing-
room, near the fireplace, and now I can’t find him any-
where !”

“Can he be lost?” said Daddy Sharpphiz; affecting
the most eager anxiety.

“Lost! no, that is impossible! He must have hid
himself in some nook or corner. Let us look for him,”
said the hypocrite; “let us look for him directly. Mow-
mouth is a dear creature, and deserves to have the whole
household called out of bed to search for him.”

Every servant in the mansion was called up to assist in

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