14 IN THE DAYS OF AUDUBON 



" Father, the good woman speaks true. I wish to 

 make you happy, but, father, I would never rise in the 

 navy; my heart has another calling, and my good teacher 

 here has spoken it. Let me paint birds — the birds of 

 America — and I will one day have the gratitude of 

 kings." 



" The gratitude of kings, my son ! But you just said 

 that you did not care for fame." 



"No; but I would love to have the world feel grate- 

 ful to me for doing my best." 



" Do I hear my ears? " 



The Knitter rose, dropping her needles and her work 

 on to the floor. 



" Captain Audubon, listen. There are voices of old 

 wisdom that come to me now, and I must deliver my 

 message. It is this — boy, listen: 'Neglect not the gift that 

 is in thee.' Captain, hear: ' Seest thou a man diligent 

 in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not 

 stand before mean men.' That is all." 



She sat down, picked up her knitting, and her needles 

 flew in the rays of the sun. 



The boy stepped back to his father, and said: 



"You love France. It is your birthplace; but Amer- 

 ica, O my America ! that is my birthplace." 



" My boy, can I imagine that you would do anything 

 for America that would ever receive the signature of the 

 king?" 



