2 Birds I Have Kept. 



exchange a whiBper through the key-hole with Jean Marie on 

 the other side. On the ever-memorable day when I first became 

 the owner of a bird, I ventured further than I had ever done 

 before, irresistably attracted by the seductive promise: "Viens, 

 et je te montrerai un geai." I not only climbed to the top of 

 the dividing wall, but descended into the farm-yard on the 

 other side, and was immediately taken captive, not by the beauty 

 of the bird which the young farmer held iu his hand, for it was 

 as ugly a little beast as can well be imagined, but by an in- 

 tense desire to become its possessor. 



" Veux-tw le vendre?" We were very democratic in those 

 days, Jean Marie and I — children usually are, until education 

 steps in and blunts the finer feelings of their nature, converting 

 them into fiery radicals and haughty aristocrats. " Veux-tu le 

 vendref Jean Marie was only too willing, but alas! I had 

 no money of my own. 



To once more climb the wall, run into the house, and tear 

 upstairs to the nursery where my mother was sitting with the 

 baby, was but the work of a few seconds; while to rush into 

 her presence, hot and panting from my exertion, and blurt 

 out: "Mamma, may I buy a Jay?" occupied less time than 

 it has taken me to write this sentence. For a moment my 

 mother did not answer, indeed I think had scarcely heard, or 

 at least apprehended the meaning of what I said, for her 

 thoughts were often far away in those days, in the distant 

 land of her youth, perhaps, but when I repeated my request, 

 she readily agreed to it, adding: "How much does he want 

 for the bird?" I had told her that it belonged to Jean Marie. 



How much did he want for it? I could not tell, and was 

 sent down to inquire. On the way, I deliberated with myself 

 how much I was to give for the coveted prize, and decided 

 that it must not be more than five francs. Pive francs: I had 

 no very definite idea of the value of money then, but I knew 

 that "une piece de cent sous" was a respectable coin, and more 

 than that I was not prepared to give. If Jean Marie would 



