There was trouble in the kitchen.  Timotheus and Maguffin had each a Sunday suit of clothes, which they had donned.  Sylvanus and Rufus having special claims on Tryphena, she had put their wet garments in a favourable place, and, being quite dry, handed them in to her befrilled brother, early in the morning, through a half open doorway.  The constable, attired in the garb presented to him by Sylvanus, having fastened his prisoner securely with a second stall chain, entered the house, and politely but stiffly wished the cook and housemaid “Good morning.”  Breakfast was ready, and then the trouble began.  Ben had no clothes, and the boys enjoyed the joke.  The company was again a large one, for Serlizer and Matilda Nagle were added to the feminine part of it, and the constable and the boy brought its male members up to six, exclusive of the prostrate Ben.  Mr. Terry had temporarily deserted the kitchen.  Mr. Toner’s voice could be heard three doors off calling for Sylvanus, Timotheus, Rufus, Mr. Rigby and Mr. Maguffin.  These people were all smilingly deaf, enjoying their hot breakfast.  Then, in despair, he called Serlizer.

“What’s the racket, Ben?”

“My close is sto-ul, Serlizer.”

“They’s some duds hangin’ up here and in the back kitchen to dry.  Praps yourn’s there.”

“No, Serlizer, myuns never got wayt.  You don’t think I was sech a blame fooul as to go out in that there raiun do you?”

“Didn’t know but what yer might.”

“Whey’s them close, anyway?”

“I don’t know nuthun ’bout yer clothes.  Most men as ain’t marrd looks after they own clothes.”

“Is that you Ben?” asked the more refined voice of Tryphena, in a tone of surprise.

“Yaas, Trypheeny, that’s jest who it is.  Saay, ken you tayl me what’s come o’ my close?”

“They are here, Ben, close to the table;” whereupon all the company glanced at Mr. Rigby, and choked.

“Cayn’t you take ’em off what they’re on, and saynd one of the boys in with ’em, Trypheeny?”

The cook coloured up, and laughter could no longer be restrained.  The constable laughed, and the contagion spread to Matilda and her boy.

“Dod rot it?” cried Mr. Toner, indignantly; “what are you fools and eejuts a screechin’ and yellin’ at?  Gimme my close, or, s’haylp me, I’ll come right out and bust some low down loafer’s thinkin’ mill.”

“Now, be quiet, Ben,” answered Tryphena, “and I will send Rufus in with your breakfast.  You shall have your clothes when they are ready.”

So, Rufus took in a plentiful breakfast to his friend Toner, who sat up in the big bed to enjoy it.  “I’m powerful sorry for you, Ben,” remarked the Baby.  “You don’t think Serlizer could ha’ come in and taken your clothes out into the rain, do you?”

“Hev they been out in the rain, Rufus?”

“Why yes, didn’t you know that much?  If it hadn’t been for the constable, they might ha’ been out there yet.  I’d say thank ye to him if I was you, Ben.”