240 ADVENTURES AMONG BIRDS 



I was told that the rector kept the key himself, and that 

 he was something of a recluse, a studious learned 

 man, Doctor of Divinity, and so on. 



Accordingly I went to the rectory, a charming house 

 standing in its own extensive grounds with lawns, 

 shrubbery, large garden and shade trees, and a wood or 

 grove of ancient oaks separating it from the village. 

 I found the rector digging in his garden and could 

 not help seeing that he was not too well pleased at 

 my request ; but when I begged him not to leave his 

 task and promised to bring back the key, if he would 

 let me have it, he threw down his spade and said 

 that he must accompany me to the church himself, as 

 there were points about it which would require to be 

 explained. 



There were no monuments, and when we had looked 

 at the interior and he had pointed out the most in- 

 teresting features, he came out and sat down in the 

 porch. 



" Are you an archaeologist or what ? " he said. 



I replied that I was nothing so important, that I 

 merely took an ordinary interest in old churches. 

 I was mainly interested in living things — a sort of 

 naturalist. 



Then he got up and we walked back. " In birds ? " 

 he asked presently. 



" Yes, especially in birds." 



"And what do you think about omens — do you 

 believe in them ? " 



The question made me curious, and I replied with 



