22 LABOUR. 
win her love, became the greatest painter of Flanders in the sixteenth 
century. 
“Of Vulcan swart, love an Apelles made.” 
(D’un noir Vulcain, l’amour fit un Appelle). 
Thus, one morning the woodpecker develops into the sculptor. 
With severe precision, the perfect roundness which the compass might 
give, he hollows out the graceful vault of a superb hemisphere. 
The whole receives the polish of marble and ivory. All kinds of 
hygienic and strategic precautions are not wanting. A narrow wind- 
ing entry, whose slope inclines outwards that the water may not 
penetrate, favours the defence; it suffices for one head and one 
courageous bill to close it. 
What heart could resist all these toils? Who would not accept 
this artist, this laborious purveyor for domestic wants, this intrepid 
defender? Who would not believe herself able to accomplish in 
safety, behind the generous rampart of this devoted champion, the 
delicate mystery of maternity @ 
So she resists no longer, and behold the pair installed! There is 
