23? THE SWAN AND HER CREW. 



wood, " let us have a consultation. How had we better go to 

 work ? If we show them that we have come specially for the 

 eggs they will ask too great a price for them. I vote we go 

 and ask for a drink of water, and then praise the children, if 

 any, and so get into conversation ; and then ask in an incidental 

 way about the bustards." 



This seemed the proper way of going to work, so they 

 appointed Frank spokesman, and then marched up to the 

 nearest cottage. A woman opened the door to them, and 

 peeping in, they saw behind her half-a-dozen children, all 

 young. 



" Can you give us a drink of water, ma'am?" said Frank, in 

 his politest tone. 



" Oh yes, sir," answered the woman with a curtsey. " Won't 

 you step indoors. But wouldn't you like a cup of milk better 

 than water ? " 



" Thank you, very much," replied Frank. " But what nice little 

 children you have got," and he patted one on the head. 



*' Lovely," said Jimmy enthusiastically, and picking out the 

 cleanest he kissed it. 



" Well, sir," answered the woman with a smile, " they be as 

 healthy as most, and as fine I dare say, but they are a great 

 deal of trouble." 



" Ah, I have no doubt they are," replied Frank sympathizingly ; 

 and as he spoke his eyes were wandering about, looking at the 

 ornaments on the chimney-piece to see if any eggs were there ; 

 but nothing of the kind was to be seen. 



*' This is a fine open country, ma'am." 



"It is that, sir," she said. 



" And plenty of rabbits and plovers about." 



" There are that, sir." 



" Have you ever seen any bustards about ? " 



" No, I have heard tell of them, but it was before my time." 



" And I suppose you have never seen any nests or eggs ? ' ; 



" No, sir, never ; but my little boy has some throstle's eggs, if 

 so be as you would like to have them." 



" No, thank you," said Frank ; and thanking her for the 

 milk, and bestowing a small coin on one of the children, the 

 boys made their exit. 



" It is your turn to do the next kissing, Dick," said 

 Jimmy. 



