 | Life and sayings of Mrs. Partington and others
of the family |  |
FORESEEING THINGS BEFOREHAND.
“I wonder who is coming here to-day?” said Mrs.
Partington, at the breakfast table, turning her cups and
working the tea-grounds to their oracular position. It
was the 4th of July, and a procession was advertised to
pass her door. “I wonder who is coming here to-day?
Here 's a horse, and a wheelbarrow, and a tub; and
there 's a big G and a cipher; and here 's a flock of geese
and a cow. The cow and the geese must mean the
procession, that 's clear; but what can the big G stand
for, and the rest of 'em? It must mean our seventh
cousin, Mrs. Tubbs; and it is so kind of her to remember
her poor relations at such times, as she always does.
Yes, it must be her, 'cause there 's a tub, and the wheelbarrow
must run for an omnibus; but what can the
cipher be? I guess, though, that don't mean anything.
Scour up the German silver spoons, Margaret; we must
be hospitable. I dare say she would be to us if she should
ever ask us, and we should go.”
The prediction was fulfilled, and the fat lady occupied
the front seat in Mrs. Partington's private box.
| Life and sayings of Mrs. Partington and others
of the family | |