16 BUSH DAYS 



down on the- post outside the fence. He looked at me very 

 solemnly for a while, and flicked his absurd little tail ; then 

 suddenly he burst out laughing. "Ha, ha, ha!" he said, 

 "birthdays are great fun, aren't they? But wait till you've 

 had as many as I have ; then you may not enjoy them so much 

 Ha, ha, ha !" 



*' Horrid old cynic," said I, " of course I'll always enjoy 

 them, as long as there are birds and bees and butterflies to 

 come and see me." 



But all the same his sarcastic remarks had rather spoilt the 

 party, and I was not very sorry that at that moment the lunch 

 bell rang and the reception was over. 



