48 More Tales of the Birds 



next year! I'll tell father, and I know he'll 

 protect you. We'll do all we can if you'll 

 only promise to come again and have a better 

 summer next year I'll promise, if you'll 

 promise." 



" Dear child, I didn't mean to make you cry," 

 said the Martin. "It's all right now, so dry your 

 eyes. We built another nest, and there it is 

 over your head. But it's very late in the 

 season, and if the cold sets in early my little 

 ones will have hard work to keep alive. In any 

 case they will be late in their journey south, and 

 may meet with many trials and hardships. But 

 we must hope for the best, and if you'll do your 

 best to keep your promise, I'll do my best 

 to keep mine. Now we are friends, and must 

 try not to forget each other. As I said, this is 

 your home and mine too. Often and often have 

 I thought of it when far away in other lands. 

 This year I thought I should have hardly one 

 pleasant recollection to carry with me to the 

 south, but now I shall have you to think of, and 

 your promise ! And I will come back again in 

 April, if all is well, and shall hope to see you 



