The pellet was administered , and such awful agonies immediately set in that the distracted mamma bade a sympathetic neighbour run for Mother Know-all . The neighbour ran , and in came a brisk little old lady in cap and specs , with a bundle of herbs under her arm , which she at once applied in all sorts of funny ways , explaining their virtues as she clapped a plantain poultice here , put a pounded catnip plaster there , or tied a couple of mullein leaves round the sufferer 's throat . Instant relief ensued , the dying child sat up and demanded baked beans . The grateful parent offered fifty dollars ; but Mother Know-all indignantly refused it and went smiling away , declaring that a neighbourly turn needed no reward , and a doctor 's fee was all a humbug . The audience were in fits of laughter over this scene , for Rose imitated Mrs. Atkinson capitally , and the herb cure was a good hit at the excellent lady 's belief that `` yarbs '' would save mankind if properly applied . No one enjoyed it more than herself , and the saucy children prepared for the grand finale in high feather . This closing scene was brief but striking , for two trains of cars whizzed in from opposite sides , met with a terrible collision in the middle of the stage , and a general smash-up completed the word catastrophe . `` Now let us act a proverb . I 've got one all ready , '' said Rose , who was dying to distinguish herself in some way before Uncle Alec . So everyone but Mac , the gay Westerner , and Rose , took their places on the rocky seats and discussed the late beautiful and varied charade , in which Pokey frankly pronounced her own scene the `` bestest of all . '' In five minutes the curtain was lifted ; nothing appeared but a very large sheet of brown paper pinned to a tree , and on it was drawn a clock-face , the hands pointing to four . A small note below informed the public that 4 A.M. was the time . Hardly had the audience grasped this important fact when a long waterproof serpent was seen uncoiling itself from behind a stump . An inch-worm , perhaps , would be a better description , for it travelled in the same humpy way as that pleasing reptile . Suddenly a very wide-awake and active fowl advanced , pecking , chirping , and scratching vigorously . A tuft of green leaves waved upon his crest , a larger tuft of brakes made an umbrageous tail , and a shawl of many colours formed his flapping wings . A truly noble bird , whose legs had the genuine strut , whose eyes shone watchfully , and whose voice had a ring that evidently struck terror into the catterpillar 's soul , if it was a catterpillar . He squirmed , he wriggled , he humped as fast as he could , trying to escape ; but all in vain . The tufted bird espied him , gave one warbling sort of crow , pounced upon him , and flapped triumphantly away . `` That early bird got such a big worm he could hardly carry him off , '' laughed Aunt Jessie , as the children shouted over the joke suggested by Mac 's nickname .
`` That is one of uncle 's favourite proverbs , so I got it up for his especial benefit , '' said XXXXX , coming up with the two-legged worm beside her .
A.M. Atkinson Know-all Mac Rose catterpillar humbug minutes neighbour yarbs