60 IN THE DAYS OF AUDUBON 



property in France to his relatives, and that his wife, who 

 was born in a house as good as a palace, has to teach for 

 a living. That man must be crazy." 



" But there is one thing in which he never fails," said 

 one of the men; " it is in painting birds. Did you ever see 

 one of his painted birds? " 



" No; but here he comes, with a little bird in his hand. 

 Just look at him! See how pleased he looks! If he had 

 brought home a diamond he would not be more happy. 

 How queerly constituted some folks are ! " 



Audubon came to the resting-place on the steps of the 

 store under the oaks. He hardly noticed the men. 



"What have you got now, Audubon?" asked Cal- 

 vert. " I see one wee little mountain wren. I de- 

 clare, if I hadn't a scent for some bigger game than 

 that I would go and put my head in soak and curl up 

 and die. What good does it do to paint birds? Suppose 

 you could paint all the birds in America, what good would 

 it do?" 



" I would have painted the birds of America." 



" But it would bring you no money." 



" But I would have painted the birds." 



" And your family would be kept poor." 



" But I would have lived my true life." 



" Well, yes; but what a life to live! Go out as you do 

 into the forests, and lie down and doze under a tree, then 

 see a little no-account bird come along, and study him ! See 



