Charles Edward Carryl

“ You should never be proud.”
“I’m not proud,” replied Davy, provoked at being mixed up with Gobobbles in this way.
“You may define the word proud, and give a few examples,” continued Mother Hubbard; and by this time she had grown to be so surprisingly like Miss Peggs that Davy immediately clasped his hands behind him, according to rule, and prepared to recite.
“Proud means being set up, I think,” he said, respectfully; “but I don’t think I know any examples.”
“You may take Gobobbles for an example,” replied Mother Hubbard. ”

“ As Gobobbles caught sight of him he discontinued his thumping, and, after staring at him for a moment, said sulkily:—
“I can’t abide boys!”
“Why not?” said Davy.
“Oh, they’re so hungry!” said Gobobbles, passionately. “They’re so everlastingly hungry. Now don’t deny that you’re fond of turkey.”
“Well, I do like turkey,” said Davy, seeing no way out of the difficulty.
“Of course you do!” said Gobobbles, tossing his head. “Now you might as well know,” he continued, resuming his thumping with increased energy, “that I’m as hollow as a drum and as tough as a hat-box. ”

“ And with this the Cow walked gravely away, just as Mother Hubbard made her appearance at the window.
“Boy,” said Mother Hubbard, beaming mildly upon Davy through her spectacles, “you shouldn’t throw gravel.”
“I haven’t thrown any,” said Davy.
“Fie!” said Mother Hubbard, shaking her head; “always speak the truth.”
“I am speaking the truth,” said Davy, indignantly. “It was Gobobbles.”
“So I supposed,” said Mother Hubbard, gently shaking her head again. “It would have been far better if he had been cooked last Christmas instead of being left over. ”