Then they told themselves, and every man told eleven, and the twelfth man did never tell himself. “Alas!” said the one to the other, “there is some one of us drowned.” They went back to the brook where they had been fishing, and did make a great lamentation. A courtier did come riding by, and did ask what it was they sought for, and why they were so sorrowful. “Oh!” said they, “this day we went to fish in the brook, and here did come out twelve of us, and one of us is drowned.” “Why,” said the courtier, “tell how many there be of you,” and the one said eleven, and he did not tell himself. “Well,” said the courtier, “what will you give me, and I will find out twelve men?” “Sir,” said they, “all the money we have got.” “Give me the money,” said the courtier; and began with the first, and gave a recommendibus over the shoulders, which made him groan, saying, “Here is one;” and so he served them all, that they groaned at the matter. When he came to the last, he paid him well, saying— “Here is the twelfth man.” “God’s blessing on thy heart for finding out our dear brother.” TALE SIXTH. A man’s wife of Gotham had a child, and the father bid the gossips, which were children of eight or ten years of age. The eldest child’s name, who was to be godfather, was called Gilbert, the second child’s name was Humphrey, and the godmother’s name was Christabel. The friends of all of them did admonish them, saying, that divers of times they must say after the priest. When they were all come to the church–door, the priest said— “Be you all agreed of the name?” “Be you all,” said Gilbert, “agreed of the name?” The priest then said— “Wherefore do you come hither?” Gilbert said, “Wherefore do you come hither?” Humphrey said, “Wherefore do you come hither?” And Christabel said, “Wherefore do you come hither?” The priest being amazed, he could not tell what to say, but whistled and said “Whew!” Gilbert whistled and said “Whew!” Humphrey whistled and said “Whew!” and so did Christabel. The priest being angry, said— “Go home, fools, go home!” Then said Gilbert and Humphrey and Christabel the same. The priest then himself provided for god–fathers and god–mothers. Here a man may see that children can do nothing without good instruction, and that they are not wise who regard them. THE TULIP FAIRIES.