A SPARROW SETTLES THE QUESTION 21 



" Come home with us," cried Nat and Dodo, each 

 seizing him by a hand, " and perhaps uncle will tell you 

 all the names we must learn — head, throat, wings, and 

 what all the other parts are rightly called — and then 

 we can go around together and watch birds." 



But as Rap turned over and scrambled up Avith the 

 aid of his crutch, they saw that he had only one leg, 

 for the trouser of the left leg was tied together just 

 below the knee. 



Acting as if they did not notice this, they led the 

 way to the house, going close to the fence that divided 

 the orchard from the road, because there was a little 

 path Avorn there. 



" What is the whole of your name ? " asked Dodo, 

 who could not keep from asking questions. 



"Stephen Hawley," he answered. "My mother is 

 Ann Hawley, Avho lives by the mill, and does all the 

 beautiful fine white washing for everybody hereabouts. 

 Don't you know her? I suppose it's because you have 

 just come. I believe my mother could wash a cobweb 

 if she tried, and not tear it," and a glow of pride lit 

 up his face. 



" But you said a little while ago that your name was 

 Rap." 



"Everybody calls me Rap, because when I go along 

 the road my crutch hits the stones, and says ' rap — 

 rap — rap.' " 



" Here's a dead bird," said Nat, picking something 

 from under the fence. 



" It's a White-throated Sparrow," said Rap, " and 

 it's flown against the telegraph wire in the dark and 

 been killed." 



