196 More Tales of the Birds 



about, she knew that he could save himself by 

 flight. And so it happened ; whenever anything 

 occurred to disturb him, Elimelech would fly up 

 to some lofty point of vantage, and as regularly 

 rejoin his company at the inn. But as time went 

 on, he had less and less need for these sallies ; 

 Northstow grew accustomed to the strange trio, 

 and though a boy would sometimes howl, or a 

 passer-by stop and stare, no one seriously troubled 

 them. 



So the autumn and winter passed, and Selina 

 began to thrive. Cheerfully and untiringly she 

 went about her business ; she was always to be 

 relied on, and apart from her own virtues her 

 pony and her starling attracted attention to her, 

 and got her many new customers. Indeed Selina 

 began to think Elimelech so important a partner 

 in the concern, that when February came and 

 the wild starlings in the village began to mate, 

 she took the precaution of cutting one of his 

 wings, lest his natural instincts should get the 

 better of him. To lose him would be a terrible 

 thing both for herself and Fan, who showed 



