6 BIRDS' NESTS. 



because, I know, she tries to do her duty 

 towards them. But let me give you a bit of 

 advice : first of all, ask her whether she thinks 

 Johnson a fit companion for you ? and if she 

 says 'No/ have as little to do with him as 

 possible. And in the next place, whenever 

 you find a bird's nest, look in it, if you like, 

 that is, if you can do so without disturbing it, 

 but neither take the eggs, nor terrify the old 

 birds. Pray, does your mother know where 

 you are?" 



Joe admitted that she did not. 



" Well then, suppose you were not to re- 

 turn at the time she expects you, that you did 

 not come back all night, nor to-morrow, nor 

 next day, what do you suppose she would 

 think about it ?" 



Joe said she would be very anxious and in 

 great grief. 



" Indeed she would ; words can hardly de- 

 scribe the agony of a mother who has lost her 

 child ; and some such sort of agony, perhaps, 



