FAIKY TALES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 197 



alive ?&quot; and then three quills fell upon him, and 

 came away dyed in his blood. 



&quot; Oh, mercy ! I could not obtain enough feath 

 ers that way,&quot; replied Marrott, scarcely conscious^ of 

 what he was saying. 



&quot; Was it avarice, then ? Is that your explanation ? 

 Do you imagine that an excuse which rather aggra 

 vates your crime ?&quot; and a dozen feathers enforced 

 the gander s words, amid the cries of the miserable 

 victim. 



