"What!" said th' ángels, "súch a big ball Júst to give light tó a little one! Thát 's bad mánagement and you knów too You had plenty of light without it." "Nót quite plénty," said God snappish, "For the light I máde the first day, Although good, was rather scánty, Scárce enough for me to wórk by. "Ánd besides how was it possible if I had not made the big ball Tó have given the little one seasons, Days and years and nights and mornings? "So you see there was nothing fór it Ánd about it sét the big one "It's the big ball we see steady, "Nóne of your impértinence," said God "I have set the big ball steády Ánything you sáy we 'll swear to," "Yes," said Gód, "what wás deficient "Wasn't the big ball big enough?" said With simplicity the ángels: "Couldn't, without a míracle," said God, "Shine at once on báck and front side." "Thére you 're quite right," said the ángels, "And we think you shów your wisdom Ín not squandering miracles ón those Who believe your word without them. "Bút do tell us why you 've só far "Tó be sure I could have placed them "Bút I'd like to knów of what use "Right again," said th' ángels, "there can Bé no mánner of doubt about it." . "Thát 's all nów," said Gód; "tomorrow Cóme again and yé shall móre see." When the angels came the next day And they saw the little ball swarming Thére they went in paírs, the creátures, Squealing, sínging, roáring, grúnting, Such assembly there has néver From that day down been on earth seen; From that day down súch a concert Thére has never been on earth heard. Fór there, rámping and their máker Fór whose absence ón that great day Bút let that be as it máy be, Áll th' unfóssilized ones were there Praise bestów upon their máker. “Well,” said th' ángels, when they'd looked on Silently some time and listened; "Well, you súrely have a strange taste; What did you make all thése queer things for?" "Cóme tomorrow and I'll show you," Só, when th' ángels cáme the next day Ánd stretched nécks and eyes and ears out "There he is, my lást and best work; There he is, the nóble creáture; Í told you you should see something; What do you say now? háve I word kept?" "Whére, where is he?" said the ángels; "I don't well know what you mean by Kickshaws," said God scárcely quite pleased, “Bút amóng my creatures yónder Don't you see one nóbler fígure? "By his strong, round, tail-less buttocks, And his flat claws you may knów him Éven were he not so like me That we might pass fór twin brothers." “Nów we seé him," said the ángels; "Hów is 't possible wé o'erlooked him? Hé 's indeed your véry image Ónly less strong and wise looking." "Só I hope the mystery 's cleared up," What I've been about these six days.". 'Éven th' Almighty," said the angels, "Máy be proud of such chef-d'oeuvre, Súch magníficént and crówning Íssue of a six days' lábor." 1 Hére a deep sigh rént God's bosom, Ánd a sháde came o'er God's features:!— "Áh," he cried, "were yé but honest Ánd no traitor stoód amongst ye! "Thén indeed this wére a great work, Thén indeed I were too happy; Áh! it's too bad, dównright too bad, Bút I'll shall I? yes, I'll let you; lét "Lét you disappoint and frét me, |