92 More Tales of the Birds 



of birds, and all the rest of it : but the Kites 

 are going sure enough, and I won't have a 

 hand in it." 



"We must do this job all the same, this year," 

 said Tom, "for the sake of the rent, and then 

 let 'em alone. We must pay that rent, Kites 

 or no Kites: and see what's to be done next." 



"Well then," said his father, "you must go 

 without me. You know where to go. There's 

 no County Council order there against taking the 

 eggs, but all the same, I hope you won't find 

 'em. Don't take a gun : I won't have the old 

 birds killed, for any collection, public or private." 



Great was the rejoicing in the family when 

 Tom was found to be packing up. His mother 

 gave him a few shillings from her scanty stock, 

 and urged him to bring a bird as well as the 

 eggs ; but this Tom steadily refused to do. 

 "Dad's tender about it," he said. "We only 

 want the rent, and when that's paid, I shall look 

 out for another start in life." 



Stephen Lee sat down and wrote this letter 

 to Mr. Gatherum, which next morning greatly 

 astonished that young gentleman in London. 



