BEFORE BREAKFAST. on 
street along the edge of the field. “What are you 
doing? ” 
He looked up and answered, “Oh, I am thinning out 
the peaches. They are too thick on the boughs, and 
they will grow larger if there are only half as many 
left. We always have to thin them out in this way 
before fall.” 
“But, sir,” we said, “don’t you think it would have 
saved you some trouble if you had let the linnets thin 
the peaches for you in the spring? They would have 
eaten more insects than peaches, too, and not have 
charged you a dollar for all their work.” 
The man looked surprised and scratched his head in 
a sorry sort of way. Then he said, “Why, I never 
thought of that. I was told that the linnets do a great 
deal of damage. I will get them to take care of my 
peach orchard next year. I am sorry I made such a 
mistake.” 
CHAPTER XXIt. 
BEFORE BREAKFAST. 
“Rine the breakfast bell,” cried Madam Towhee, 
“the sun is nearly up. Rap on your tree, Mr. Flicker, 
and wake up the linnets.” 
“You are late yourself, Mrs. Towhee,” said Mrs. 
Linnet; “my children have had their breakfast already.” 
