The Cricket on the Hearth

The kettle began it! Dont tell me what Mrs. Peerybingle said. I know better. Mrs. Peerybingle may leave it on record to the end of time that she couldnt say which of them began it; but I say the kettle did. I ought to know I hope! The kettle began it full five minutes by the little waxy-faced Dutch clock in the corner before the Cricket uttered a chirp. As if the clock hadnt finished striking and the convulsive little Haymaker at the top of it jerking away right and left with a scythe in front of a Moorish Palace hadnt mowed down half an acre of imaginary grass before the Cricket joined in at all!