"ThThe kettle began it! Don't tell me what Mrs. Peerybingle said. I know better. Mrs. Peerybingle
may leave it on record to the end of time that she couldn't say which of them began it; but I say the Thkettle did. I ought to know I hope! The kettle began it full five minutes by the little waxy-faced Dutch clock in the corner before the Cricket uttered a chirp. As if the clock hadn't finished striking and the convulsive little Haymaker at the top of it jerking ftaway right and left with a scythe in front of a Moorish Palace hadn't mowed down half an acre of imaginary grass before the Cricket joined in at all!"