1、the FALSE COLLAR there was once a fine gentleman， all of whosemoveables were a boot-jack and a hair-comb： buthe had the finest false collars in the world； and it isabout one of these collars that we are now to hear astory. It was so old， that it began to think ofmarri
2、age； and it happened that it came to bewashed in company with a garter. “Nay！” said the collar.“I never did see anythingso slender and so fine， so soft and so neat. May I not ask your name？” “That I shall not tell you！” said the garter. “Where do you live？” asked the
3、 collar. But the garter was so bashful， so modest， and thought it was a strange question toanswer. “You are certainly a girdle，” said the collar；“that is to say an inside girdle. I see well thatyou are both for use and ornament， my dear young lady.” “I will thank you
4、 not to speak to me，” said the garter.“I think I have not given the leastoccasion for it.” “Yes！ When one is as handsome as you，” said the collar，“that is occasion enough.” “Don't come so near me， I beg of you！” said the garter.“You look so much like thosemen-folks.”
5、 “I am also a fine gentleman，” said the collar.“I have a bootjack and a hair-comb.” But that was not true， for it was his master who had them： but he boasted. “Don't come so near me，” said the garter：“I am not accustomed to it.” “Prude！” exclaimed the collar； and the
6、n it was taken out of the washing-tub. It wasstarched， hung over the back of a chair in the sunshine， and was then laid on the ironing-blanket； then came the warm box-iron.“Dear lady！” said the collar.“Dear widow-lady！ I feelquite hot. I am quite changed. I begin to unf
7、old myself. You will burn a hole in me. Oh！ I offeryou my hand.” “Rag！” said the box-iron； and went proudly over the collar： for she fancied she was asteam-engine， that would go on the railroad and draw the waggons.“Rag！” said the box-iron. the collar was a little jag
8、ged at the edge， and so came the long scissors to cut off thejagged part.“Oh！” said the collar.“You are certai
