Downs and Dungeons 



public-house while the Linnet was talking), and 

 laid his hand again upon a hob-nailed boot. 

 But the Canary again stopped in time, and when 

 the din ceased, the Linnet went on. 



"When the days grew longer, and the sun 

 gained strength, we broke up our great company. 

 New thoughts and hopes broke in upon our 

 hearts, hopes that for me were never to be 

 realised, and a new beauty seemed to come 

 upon all of us. My forehead and breast took a 

 crimson hue, and my back became a beautiful 

 chestnut ; I know I was a handsome bird, for 

 one little darling told me so, and said she would 

 unite her lot with mine. With her I left the sea, 

 and followed the Downs inland till we came to the 

 place where I was born ; and there, in a gorse- 

 bush near our old home, we decided to build 

 our nest. Do you know how to build a nest ? " 



" No," said the Canary. " We have those 

 things done for us if we want them, while we 

 sit and sing, in polite society. I can't imagine 

 how you could stoop to do such work yourself, 

 as you seem to have the making of good breeding 

 in you. But we must make allowance ! " 



i 



