140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON 

 While Audubon was waiting for better 

 luck, or for worse, lie was always listen- 

 ing to the birds and studying them 

 storing up the knowledge that he turned 

 to such good account later : but we can 

 almost hear his neighbours and ac- 

 quaintances calling him an " idle, worth- 

 less fellow." Not so his wife 5 she had 

 even more faith in him than he had in 

 himself. 



His was a lovable nature he won af- 

 fection and devotion easily, and he loved 

 to be loved ; he appreciated the least 

 kindness shown him. 



He was always at ease and welcome 

 in the squatter's cabin or in elegantly 

 appointed homes, like that of his friends, 

 the Eathbones, though he does complain 

 of an awkwardness and shyness some- 

 times when in high places. This, how- 

 ever, seemed to result from the pomp 

 and ceremony found there, and not 

 because of the people themselves. 



" Chivalrous, generous, and courteous 



