That twit at the end spoilt everything, otherwise this was really a bright idea of No. 5’s.

“Aunt Judy, do begin to talk yourself,” entreated No. 6.  “I wish No. 5 would be quiet, and not teaze.”

“And he wishes the same of you,” replied Aunt Judy, “and I wish the same of you all.  What is to be done?  Come, I will tell you a story, on one positive understanding, namely, that whoever teazes, or even TWITS, shall be turned out of the company.”

No. 5 sat up in his chair like a dart in an instant, and vowed that he would be the best of the good, till Aunt Judy had finished her story.

“After which—­” concluded he, with a wink and another grin.

“After which, I shall expect you to be better still,” was Aunt Judy’s emphatic rejoinder.  And peace being now completely established, she commenced:  “There was once upon a time—­what do you think?”—­here she paused and looked round in the children’s faces.

“A giant!” exclaimed No. 8.

“A beautiful princess!” suggested No. 6.

“Something,” said Aunt Judy, “but I am not going to tell you what at present.  You must find out for yourselves.  Meantime I shall call it something, or merely make a grunting—­hm—­when I allude to it, as people do to express a blank.”

The little ones shuffled about in delighted impatience at the notion of the mysterious “something” which they were to find out, and Aunt Judy proceeded:-

“This—­hm—­then, lived in a large meadow field, where it was the delight of all beholders.  The owner of the property was constantly boasting about it to his friends, for he maintained that it was the richest, and most beautiful, and most valuable—­hm—­in all the country round.  Surely no other thing in this world ever found itself more admired or prized than this something did.  The commonest passer-by would notice it, and say all manner of fine things in its praise, whether in the early spring, the full summer, or the autumn, for at each of these seasons it put on a fresh charm, and formed a subject of conversation.  ‘Only look at that lovely—­hm—­’ was quite a common exclamation at the sight of it.  ’What a colour it has!  How fresh and healthy it looks!  How invaluable it must be!  Why, it must be worth at least—­’ and then the speaker would go calculating away at the number of pounds, shillings, and pence, the—­hm—­would fetch, if put into the money-market, which is, I am sorry to say, a very usual, although very degrading way of estimating worth.

“To conclude, the mild-eyed Alderney cow, who pastured in the field during the autumn months, would chew the cud of approbation over the--hm—­for hours together, and people said it was no wonder at all that she gave such delicious milk and cream.”

Here a shout of supposed discovery broke from No. 5.  “I’ve guessed, I know it!”

But a “hush” from Aunt Judy stopped him short.