But he pulled through it, and served up his first cantaloupe without tasting a mouthful himself.

They were excellent melons, for he had a warm slope for them, and they ripened fast.

The last and best were lingering on the vines, and Stuffy had announced that he should sell them to a neighbor.

This disappointed the boys, who had hoped to eat the melons themselves, and they expressed their displeasure in a new and striking manner.

Going one morning to gaze upon the three fine watermelons which he had kept for the market, Stuffy was horrified to find the word "PIG" cut in white letters on the green rind, staring at him from every one.