NOVELTIES. 61

& very amusing accountiof all that was meant by
muss. ‘ When a great many people are collected
in the street, and they: begin to shout, and run
about in different directions, that is a muss; ‘and
when there has been:a great deal of ‘snow,. and it
thaws, and the streets are muddy, then they. are
all in-a muss ; :and: when the: cook leaves:the dirty
dishes on the table, and the pots and kettles on
the hearth, there isa great muss inthe, kitchen ;
and when Charles cuts papers: over) the carpet,’
and..leaves: his :ball}on..one chair, and his kite on
another, he makes.a muss}: and: when mamma, up-
sets her work-basket, she makes a,muss ;.and when
papa—when papa gets downto his office, I guess
he makes a muss sometimes.” ;

This was all very archly said, and not only the
girls, but Mr. Lovett:,too; laughed merrily atthe
conclusion., When. the laugh was.over, Mr. Lovett
said, ‘‘ Well, Lawyer Lucy, you have argued your
case, and have certainly. made all:you could of a
muss. Now. we will hear:Lawyer Mary plead for
‘do.don’'t.. What. have: you, to say for it,, Mary?”

»Mary’s: ideas: of .“‘ do don’t,” seemed not. so
clear -as: Lucy’s.-of. a: muss, for. she: hesitated, aa
D2