SWALLOW BROW 189 



knew that on that hat were the skins of 

 nineteen humming birds, and though they 

 knew that they themselves would not be 

 desired, or have to give up their lives for 

 the cause of beauty, yet they did not like 

 the woman." 



" Oh, I hate her, I hate her," cried Jo. 



" Hush," said the swallow. " When she 

 bought the hat she did not think of nine- 

 teen of our tiny brothers killed for a hat. 

 She was really a kind woman, only she 

 never thought very much." 



" Tell me," said the child, very happy, 

 looking at his glorious wings, " Tell me, 

 why do you speak to me ? Do you speak 

 to every one ? " 



" No," said the swallow sadly, " I want 

 to, but they will not listen. I know that 

 the meadow grasses want to as well, but 

 most of the people seem to be deaf. The 

 meadow grasses talk to the butterflies and 

 the coloured insects that dance among them, 

 for they come to listen to the music of 



