40 STORIES OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 



uncomfortable, and after hesitating a long time 

 said : 



"Mistress Tommy-Anne, the fact is I am not 

 very popular . with my tribe ; they suspect me of 

 sometimes meddling with their nests, and so keep 

 their secrets from me. One thing I do know, 

 however: to-morrow is an anniversary day in Bird- 

 land. *Be early in the meadow between the river 

 and wood, and you will see and hear enough, I 

 promise you. Be early, mind ! " And Tchin 

 (which was the Red Brother's name for him) 

 flew away silently enough, as he can when he 

 wishes. 



" Aren't you ashamed of yourself now ? " said 

 Tommy-Anne to Rattle. 



"Not a bit, not a bit! Somebody stole my nuts," 

 he blustered. 



" You were both wrong," she continued; " for you 

 could not prove what you said ; and by the way, 

 pray why are you eating those apple blossoms ? " 



" I need variety, missy, the same as the House 

 People. Nuts, are my meat, but sometimes I like 

 a fresh egg or a flower salad." And he continued 

 munching the fleshy base of the blossoms that 

 would some day have grown into apples. 



" For shame ! Rattle, I shall make you move 

 away if you act so. Father will not let any one 



