I could not help laughing at him, and, in his rage, he seized a stone, and put an end to his adversary.

I was grieved at this, and recommended him never to act in a moment of anger, showing him that he was unjust in being so revengeful; for, if he had been bitten by the lobster, it was plain he would have eaten his foe if he had conquered him.

Jack promised to be more discreet and merciful in future, and obtained leave to bear the prize to his mother.
"Mamma," said he, proudly, "a lobster! A lobster, Ernest! Where is Fritz! Take care it does not bite you, Francis!" They all crowded round in astonishment.

"Yes," added he, triumphantly, "here is the impertinent claw that seized me; but I repaid the knave," "You are a boaster," said I."You would have got indifferently on with the lobster, if I had not come up; and have you forgotten the slap on the cheek which compelled you to release him?
Besides, he only defended himself with his natural arms; but you had to take a great stone.

You have no reason to be proud, Jack." Ernest wished to have the lobster added to the soup to improve it; but his mother, with a spirit of economy, reserved it for another day.