A Street Troubadour 



mate. I might have forgotten the riot scene in 

 the gutter, as such things are common, but that 

 I now recognized in Randy's bride the little 

 white-winged Biddy Sparrow that had caused it. 



She had apparently accepted Randy, but she 

 was still putting on airs, pecking at him when 

 he came near. He was squirming around with 

 drooping wings and tilted tail, chirping like any 

 other ardent Cock Sparrow, but occasionally 

 stopping to show off his Canary accomplish- 

 ment. 



Any objections she may have had were appa- 

 rently overcome, possibly by this astonishing dis- 

 play of genius, and he escorted her to the ready- 

 made nest, running in ahead to show the way, 

 and hopping proudly, noisily, officiously about 

 her. She followed him, but came out again 

 quickly, with Randy after her chirping and 

 beseeching. He chattered a long time before 

 he could persuade her to reenter, but again she 

 came out immediately, this time sputtering and 

 scolding. Again he seemed to exert his power 

 of persuasion, and finally she went in chattering, 

 reappeared with a twig in her bill, dropped it, 

 and flew away out of sight. Randy came out. 



114 



