The Larks Nest 15 



simply plodded on like a machine, till a slight 

 descent, and the sight of the farmhouse, and of 

 the dark forest looming in front of them, told 

 him that he was again on the ground where 

 the sun had shone and the Lark sung. And 

 his trials for that day were nearly at end, 

 for no sooner had they mounted the slope on 

 the further side, than they were ordered to the 

 right, and turning into the fields by the little 

 cross-track, were halted between the two roads, 

 and lay down as they were, tired out 



III 



DAWN was beginning at three o'clock on Sun- 

 day the 1 8th of June, and the Lark was already 

 astir. In the night an egg had been hatched, 

 and great was the joy of both parents. All was 

 quiet just around the nest; at a little distance 

 a sentinel was pacing up and down, but no one 

 else was moving. The wife, at a call from her 

 mate, left the nest, and rose with him through 

 the drizzling rain. 



"Higher, higher," cried the cock bird, "let 



