THE BIRD'S NEST 85 



'' Not so many as come from eating too much ! " 

 laughed the Doctor. " Won't you come up to break- 

 fast with us, Rap ? There is always room at my table, 

 you know, for children who love their Bird Brothers." 



" I can't," said Rap regretfully ; " you see it's Thurs- 

 day and I have to mind clothes I " 



There was a merry breakfast party that morning at 

 Orchard Farm ; Nat had so much to tell, and the 

 Doctor said he felt twenty years younger after his walk 

 with the boys. A letter had also arrived which made 

 Nat and Dodo very happy ; it was from their mother, 

 who said : " We are delighted to hear that the Doctor 

 is going to tell you bird stories this summer. Be sure 

 to ask Olive to tell you all she knows about the flowers 

 too. When we come home this autumn, perhaps your 

 uncle will ask us to the Farm for a visit, and then we 

 shall see your friend Rap." 



" Uncle, uncle ! " cried both the children, " will you 

 ask mother and father to come here for a little ? It 

 will be lovely, and — and then we shan't liave to go 

 awa}' so soon either." 



" I have already asked them for a long visit, you little 

 rogues," said the Doctor. '' You seem to forget that 

 your mother is my sister, whom I wish very much to see." 



"And does Olive know all the flowers," chimed in 

 Dodo, '' and Avill you tell us about everything ? " 



" That would be a rash promise," said the Doctor, 

 laughing ; " but if you Avill stay long enough I will 

 promise to teach you something about all the little wild 

 beasts and bugs that live here, the flowers that bloom 

 about us, the earth, moon, and perhaps even a star or 

 two I Who knows ? Is it a bargain ? " 



