My Second Week in the House 25 



gave it to me ? I think he must have 

 been a mother-bird once, for he did as 

 near like what my own mother used to 

 do as he could. He chewed up the nut 

 until it was all soft and sweet and warm, 

 and then gave me a piece of it It 

 was so good ! oh, so good ! and when I 

 cheeped for some more, he put his lips 

 down to me with a large piece of nut all 

 ready for me to eat. Well, at first I 

 didn't know just what to do. He had 

 such a long black beard, and his mous- 

 taches almost covered his lips, that I 

 felt " kind o' scared," yet when I looked 

 up into his large dark eyes, they 

 beamed upon me so kindly and gently 

 that I thought I would risk it ; so I 

 made a quick dash at the nut, got a bill 

 full, and then drew back. 



Fessor laughed at me and said : " You 



