“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.
