“No, no; I’ll prove it,” shrieked the choir-master. “See now! Where is my music got to? Ah, there now, I forgot to send for the supper ... Fèkla!” The angry face of the maid-servant appeared at the door. “Fèkla!” said the choir-master in a stern voice, trying hard not to stagger; “go and fetch some cucumbers.” “Missis told me not.” “Then you won’t go?” “No, I won’t.” “Then you’re a pig. I’ll go myself.” “Go then! Missis’ll give you what for.” However, after thinking it over, the choir-master decided not to go, and only shouted at her: “Be off with you! Yah! Scandalmonger!” [Illustration: “THE DEACON WENT HOME.” ] The servant went away. Presently a third pint was brought in and the basses and tenors once more crowded round the decanter. Suddenly the choir-master quite unexpectedly sat down at the piano, struck a few chords, and shouted: “Get to your places!” The sleepy boys came in from the ante-room, and the whole choir stood in a crowd together. “See, the light is dying, See, the time is flying....”[59] yelled the choir-master, hammering unmercifully on the keys. “The lasses went to the fields to play, Among the grasses and flowers gay.”[59] bellowed the choir. “Oh, my bonny blue kirtle!”[59] howled the tipsy deacon, swinging his legs under the table. “In the name of law and order!” shrieked the choir-master. “Basses, out with your tone! _Crescendo! Crescendo!_” * * * * * At about eleven o’clock at night the deacon was hunting for his galoshes in the ante-room. For a long time he could not find them; at last he stuck his foot into somebody’s cap, which happened to be lying on the floor, and went home. THE EAGLE AS MECÆNAS. [Illustration] A FABLE. BY “SHCHEDRÌN” (SALTYKÒV). A great deal is written by various poets about Eagles; and always in praise of them. The Eagle has invariably a form of indescribable beauty, piercing vision, and a majestic flight. In fact, he does not fly like other birds, but “sails” or “soars” through the air; moreover, he can gaze upon the sun and battle with the thunders. Some writers speak of the magnanimity of his soul. For instance, if you want to write an ode in praise of a policeman, it is quite essential to compare him to an Eagle. Thus: “Like the majestic Eagle, Police-sergeant No. So-and-so looked on the suspected person, seized him, heard his explanation, and magnanimously pardoned him.”