94 EVERYDAY BIRDS 



happens in military and masonic parades, there 

 is never any jangUng, no matter how near to- 

 gether the different bands may be marching. 



As I said, the pageant lasts for three months. 

 It is fortunate for me, perhaps, that it lasts no 

 longer ; for the truth is, I have grown so fond 

 of watching it that I find it hard to attend to 

 my daily work so long as the show continues. 

 If I go inside for half a day, to read or to write, 

 I am aU the time thinking of what is going on 

 outside. Who knows what I may be missing at 

 this very minute ? I keep by me a prospectus 

 of the festival, a list of all who are expected to 

 take part in it, and, like most watchers of such 

 parades, I have my personal favorites for whom 

 I am always on the lookout. One thing troubles 

 me : there is never a year that I do not miss a 

 good many (a had many, I feel like saying) of 

 those whose names appear in the announcements. 

 Some of them, indeed, I have never seen. If 

 they are really in the ranks, it must be that their 

 numbers are very small; for the printed pro- 

 gramme tells exactly how they wiU be dressed, 

 and I am sure I should recognize them if they 

 came within sight. Some of them, I fancy, do 

 not keep their engagements. 



I spoke, to begin with, of their passing my 

 door. But I spoke figuratively. Some, it is 



