48 THE REDBREAST. 



table, and commenced a brisk attack on the 

 bread and butter, or toast, bringing to the meal 

 an excellent appetite, which the invalid might 

 well envy him. Nothing could exceed the per- 

 fect ease and unfettered enjoyment of the little bird. 

 He seemed to feel himself on the footing of com- 

 plete intimacy and companionship with his en- 

 tertainer. He ate his fill, plumed his wing, and 

 sung his pleasant song, evidently fearing no evil 

 while no other person was in the room ; but the 

 moment a step was heard, he flew away to his 

 hiding-place and remained unseen, until the 

 dinner-hour found the invalid once more alone. 

 Then he came forth again, making his ap- 

 proaches in the same interesting manner as at 

 breakfast. It happened that a part of the sick 

 man^s daily food at that time was ground rice 

 pudding. Of this the bird was particularly fond, 

 and never failed to have a portion allotted to him. 

 But he did not confine himself to the pudding. 

 He would perch on a slice of bread, and feed 

 heartily on it, digging a large hole in it with his 

 bill. Then he would hop on to the edge of a 

 water-glass, and deliberately sip the clear liquid, 

 thus pledging his host with all the ease of abidden 

 guest. His meal ended, he would fly to the back 

 of a chair near the fire : there he would remain, 

 enjoying the warmth, dressing his feathers, and 



