of 



would see one of them in the nest, so deep in that 

 only a head or a tail showed over the round rim. 

 After several days I looked to see the eggs, but 

 to my surprise found the nest empty. It had been 

 robbed, I thought, yet by what creature I could not 

 imagine. Then down cuddled one of the birds again, 

 and I understood. Instead of wet and cold, the 

 nest to-day felt warm to my hand ; it was dry almost 

 to the bottom. It had changed color, too, all the 

 upper part having turned a soft silver-gray. She 

 (I am sure it was she) had not been brooding her 

 eggs at all ; she had been brooding her mother's 

 thought of them ; and for them had been nestling 

 here these days and nights, drying and warming their 

 damp cradle with the fire of her life and love. 



In due time the eggs came, five of them, white, 

 spotless, and shapely. While the little hen was hatch- 

 ing them I gave my attention further to the cock. 



I am writing this with a black suspicion over- 

 hanging him. But of that later. I hope it is un- 

 founded, and I shall give him the benefit of the 

 doubt. A man is innocent until proved guilty. I 

 have no positive evidence of Mr. Phoebe's wrong. 



Our intimate friendship has revealed a most pleas- 

 168 



