Page:My Friend Annabel Lee (1903).pdf/236

 Kaatenstein and Jenny Kaatenstein, though they were pleasantly excited, were yet highly uneasy in their minds. They knew they had yet to render up payment for the day's business.

"The rest of the tale is obvious enough," said my friend Annabel Lee, laughing gently and changing her tone.

"But please tell it," said I, with much eagerness.

"Well, then," said my friend Annabel Lee:—

"The afternoon waned, and Mrs. Kaatenstein came home. She heard unusual noises in her beloved duck-yard, and fled thither, as fast as her goodly proportions would allow.

"Her eyes met a sight which was maddening to them.

"They beheld little Willy Kaatenstein, looking decidedly pale and puffy, sitting weakly on a box containing a setting