OF WHAT BECAME OF THE PARENTS OF THE FORTY-NINE CHILDREN
But when the two old parrots,
and the two old storks,
and the two old geese,
and the two old owls,
and the two old guinea-pigs,
and the two old cats,
and the two old fishes
became aware, by reading in the newspapers, of the calamitous extinction
of the whole of their families, they refused all further sustenance;
and, sending out to various shops, they purchased great quantities of
cayenne pepper and brandy and vinegar and blue sealing-wax, besides
seven immense glass bottles with air-tight stoppers. And, having done
this, they ate a light supper of brown bread and Jerusalem artichokes,
and took an affecting and formal leave of the whole of their
acquaintance, which was very numerous and distinguished and select and
responsible and ridiculous.