Too Mutk of a Good Tking * \ 5 



"One year when we were abroad in June, and 

 there was no one to keep watch, she hadn't a 

 chance with anything except the plums. Next 

 spring we took all the nests we could find, and 

 even then we came off second-best Of course 

 we like to hear them singing, as you do, but when 

 it comes to June, you know, you can thin them 

 off with a gun, and that frightens the rest I 

 always shoot a few, and stick them up on the 

 gooseberry bushes as scarecrows. I suppose 

 you're not much of a hand at a gun ? I or my 

 boys will do it for you with pleasure." 



" Oh, thank you," cried Bessie, " I should be 

 so sorry to have them killed, but we must have 

 our jam now we've come to live in the country. 

 When the time comes, I'm sure Gilbert will be 

 most grateful to you." 



41 No he won't," said the Poet : 



"Though all the neighbour* thoot the* round, 

 I keep smooth plats of garden ground 

 tt-here thou may'tt wmrble, eml, and dwdf 



Well, well," said the Parson, rather puxxled. 

 "there's time enough, there's time enough. 

 Tackle your weeds first, and plant your borders, 



