14: IN THE DAYS OF AUDUBON 



" Father, the good woman speaks true. I wish to 

 make you happy, but, father, I would never rise in the 

 navy; my heart has another calling, and my good teacher 

 here has spoken it. Let me paint birds the birds of 

 America and I will one day have the gratitude of 

 kings." 



" The gratitude of kings, my son! But you just said 

 that you did not care for fame." 



" No ; but I would love to have the world feel grate- 

 ful to me for doing my best." 



" Do I hear my ears? " 



The Knitter rose, dropping her needles and her work 

 on to the floor. 



" Captain Audubon, listen. There are voices of old 

 wisdom that come to me now, and I must deliver my 

 message. It is this boy, listen: 'Neglect not the gift that 

 is in thee.' Captain, hear: ' Seest thou a man diligent 

 in his business? he shall stand before Icings; he shall not 

 stand before mean men. 7 That is all." 



She sat down, picked up her knitting, and her needles 

 flew in the rays of the sun. 



The boy stepped back to his father, and said: 



" You love France. It is your birthplace; but Amer- 

 ica, O my America! that is my birthplace." 



" My boy, can I imagine that you would do anything 

 for America that would ever receive the signature of the 

 Ungt" 



