THE YOUNG CHICKENS 53 



outcry. In her mortal terror the poor mother races 

 in distraction along the bank, her voice hoarse with 

 emotion, her plumage bristling with fear. She 

 calls, menaces, supplicates. An angry red mounts 

 to her comb, the fire of despair illumines her eye. 

 She even goes miracle of mother love she even 

 goes so far as to risk one foot in the water, that per- 

 fidious element, the sight of which makes her almost 

 faint with fear. But to all her supplications the 

 little ducklings turn a deaf ear, happy in their pur- 

 suit of the silver-bellied tadpole among the cresses." 



"Oh, the little rascals," exclaimed Emile, "not to 

 listen to their nurse 's warnings ! However, as they 

 are ducks they can't get along without water." 



"They go there very often alone at first, in spite 

 of the hen's remonstrances; then, reassured by the 

 first attempts, she willingly leads them to the bath 

 and from the bank watches their joyful gambols." 



