TPIE LOVE BIRD. 165 



^' I say, you know, I ordered a Cochin China fowl from 

 here the other day." 

 *^Yes, sir — certainly." 



"And, don't you know, I told you to send a good one, 

 you know — one of the best sort." 



'' Yes, sir, I rememher it perfectly ; and the bird was 

 sent as you wished to — " 



"Ah — yes — but it wasnt a g-ood one." 

 " Indeed, sir, I am sorry to hear tliat ; I only know it 

 was one of the best of mv birds. Where may the fault 

 be r 



"' Well, he wasn't fat you know '?" 

 "' Perhaps not fat, sir, " said Mr. Baile'r, with a 

 deprecatory smile ; " in very fair condition, thoug'h, 

 I'm sure. Anything- more serious than that, sir, may I 

 ask?" 



"Yes, there was, he was tough sir, d — d tough !" 

 " Tough V repeated Mr. Bailey, changing colour. 

 "Tough!" echoed the Giiardsman; "they could 

 hardly eat a bit of him. Why the deuce did'nt you send 

 ti g-ood one, as I told you?" 



"Sir," said Mr. Bailey, in a slow, emphatic tone of 

 voice, " I am very sorry there should be any mistake ; 

 but I did send a g-ood one — a great deal too good, I'm 

 afraid, for your purpose. The bird I sent was one of the 

 best bred in England. He was got by Patriarch, dam 

 by Jerry — great grandam the Yellow Shanghai — great, 

 great — 



" Oh, d — n that !" interrupted the dragoon, " what's 

 that got to do with it?" 



" Just this, sir : six weeks ago I gave sixteen guineas 

 fo]- him at the hammer, and he is entered to you at two- 

 and'twentyy 



