THE SWALLOW 



I remember one evening having 

 witnessed the departure of swallows 

 from a corner window, looking 

 out on the solitary small square of a 

 country town. One of the sides of the 

 square was entirely occupied by an 

 old mansion ; its balconies, cornices 

 and friezes offering numberless rest- 

 ing places to the future travellers. 

 During the last few days I had noticed an unusual 

 coming and going among the swallows. They were flying 

 about restlessly, with a very busy look. Some would dart 

 down the whole length of the street, describing long cir- 



