HIS TRAVELS 65 
picked out what he wanted to eat and drink, and 
scolded well if he did not have it. 
The thing he liked best was butter, and when 
he was ready to wipe his bill after eating, as 
birds do, he found the coat-sleeve of the master 
soft and nice for the purpose. This pleased the 
bird better than it did the owner of the sleeve, 
but he tried in vain to keep the saucy fellow 
off. If he forgot for an instant to watch the 
bird, he would dash up, wipe off the butter, and 
fly away out of the reach of everybody. 
In the spring the sparrow left the family, and 
lived out of doors. But, with the first cold 
weather of fall, he came back, went to his old 
vase, and settled himself for the winter again. 
This he did for several years. 
