CHAPTER III 

 A SPARROW SETTLES THE QUESTION 



The apple trees were not yet in bloom in the orchard, 

 but the cherries were tricked out in dazzling white, and 

 the peaches were blushing as prettily as possible. On 

 either side of the walk that led down through the gar- 

 den, hyacinths, great mats of single white violets and 

 bunches of yellow daffies Avere in flower, and as far as 

 the children could see the fresh green orchard grass 

 w^as gilded with dandelions. 



" Isn't it lovely? " cried Dodo, " I want to pick every- 

 thing." She began to fill her hands with dandelions. 

 ''Only I wish that mother was here" — and a little 

 quaver shook the merry voice. 



" She will come by and by, dear," said Olive. " You 

 know your father had to go away on business, and you 

 wouldn't like him to go all alone." 



" Why do people have business ? " 



" To earn money, to be sure, to buy your pretty 

 frocks and shoes, and give you plenty to eat." 



" But House People are the only ones who must 

 work for what they liave — everything else takes what 

 it wants." 



" There is where you are very much mistaken. Miss 

 Dodo. Everything works for its living in some way. 

 Take, for example, the birds that you are going to 



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