said the Miller 's Wife , pouring herself out a large glass of warm ale ; ` really I feel quite drowsy . It is just like being in church . ' '' ` Lots of people act well , ' answered the Miller ; ` but very few people talk well , which shows that talking is much the more difficult thing of the two , and much the finer thing also ' ; and he looked sternly across the table at his little son , who felt so ashamed of himself that he hung his head down , and grew quite scarlet , and began to cry into his tea . However , he was so young that you must excuse him . '' `` Is that the end of the story ? '' asked the Water-rat . `` Certainly not , '' answered the Linnet , `` that is the beginning . '' `` Then you are quite behind the age , '' said the Water-rat . `` Every good story-teller nowadays starts with the end , and then goes on to the beginning , and concludes with the middle . That is the new method . I heard all about it the other day from a critic who was walking round the pond with a young man . He spoke of the matter at great length , and I am sure he must have been right , for he had blue spectacles and a bald head , and whenever the young man made any remark , he always answered ` Pooh ! ' But pray go on with your story . I like the Miller immensely . I have all kinds of beautiful sentiments myself , so there is a great sympathy between us . '' `` Well , '' said the Linnet , hopping now on one leg and now on the other , `` as soon as the winter was over , and the primroses began to open their pale yellow stars , the Miller said to his wife that he would go down and see little Hans . '' ` Why , what a good heart you have ' ! cried his Wife ; ` you are always thinking of others . And mind you take the big basket with you for the flowers . ' `` So the Miller tied the sails of the windmill together with a strong iron chain , and went down the hill with the basket on his arm . ''
` Good morning , little XXXXX , ' said the Miller . ''
Hans Linnet Miller Pooh Water-rat church mind primroses right story-teller