Cobwebs from an Empty Skull

A hen who had hatched out a quantity of ducklings, was somewhat surprised one day to see them take to the water, and sail away out of her jurisdiction.  The more she thought of this the more unreasonable such conduct appeared, and the more indignant she became.  She resolved that it must cease forthwith.  So she soon afterward convened her brood, and conducted them to the margin of a hot pool, having a business connection with the boiling spring of Doo-sno-swair.  They straightway launched themselves for a cruise—­returning immediately to the land, as if they had forgotten their ship’s papers.

When Callow Youth exhibits an eccentric tendency, give it him hot.