1 92 More Tales of the Birds 



middle of the village allotments ; Elimelech 

 was perched on Fan's back as usual, for he 

 now insisted upon occupying his favourite 

 station during all these little excursions, amus- 

 ing himself by occasional flights into the air, 

 or sometimes walking at the pony's heels and 

 picking up the insects that were disturbed as 

 she grazed. There in the dewy summer 

 morning the three had a consultation together, 

 and it was decided that the next day, Wednes- 

 day, being market day at Northstow, Selina 

 and Fan should journey thither, show them- 

 selves once more, and try and start the carry- 

 ing business afresh before it was too late. 

 There was no time to be lost ; already one 

 villager more enterprising than his fellows had 

 purchased a donkey, and threatened to step 

 into the place left vacant by Selina's husband. 

 The day was spent in going round to the old 

 customers, and by nightfall Selina had a fair 

 number of commissions. A heavy cloud had 

 suddenly lifted from the little old woman's 

 heart ; she saw her way before her and went 

 to bed happy. 



