There was once a hard-working student who lived in an attic , and he had nothing in the world of his own . There was also a hard-working grocer who lived on the first floor , and he had the whole house for his own . The Goblin belonged to him , for every Christmas Eve there was waiting for him at the grocer 's a dish of jam with a large lump of butter in the middle . The grocer could afford this , so the Goblin stayed in the grocer 's shop ; and this teaches us a good deal . One evening the student came in by the back door to buy a candle and some cheese ; he had no one to send , so he came himself . He got what he wanted , paid for it , and nodded a good evening to the grocer and his wife -LRB- she was a woman who could do more than nod ; she could talk -RRB- . When the student had said good night he suddenly stood still , reading the sheet of paper in which the cheese had been wrapped . It was a leaf torn out of an old book -- a book of poetry ` There 's more of that over there ! ' said the grocer ' I gave an old woman some coffee for the book . If you like to give me twopence you can have the rest . ' ` Yes , ' said the student , ` give me the book instead of the cheese . I can eat my bread without cheese . It would be a shame to leave the book to be torn up . You are a clever and practical man , but about poetry you understand as much as that old tub over there ! ' And that sounded rude as far as the tub was concerned , but the grocer laughed , and so did the student . It was only said in fun . But the Goblin was angry that anyone should dare to say such a thing to a grocer who owned the house and sold the best butter . When it was night and the shop was shut , and everyone was in bed except the student , the Goblin went upstairs and took the grocer 's wife 's tongue . She did not use it when she was asleep , and on whatever object in the room he put it that thing began to speak , and spoke out its thoughts and feelings just as well as the lady to whom it belonged . But only one thing at a time could use it , and that was a good thing , or they would have all spoken together .
The XXXXX laid the tongue on the tub in which were the old newspapers .
Eve Goblin cheese deal evening everyone first house night shame