THE GENIUS THAT SEES 61 



him hop this way and that way, and weave his nest and 

 line it, and sing this note and that note — and all for what? 

 To be remembered only as a vagabond." 



" You may hear from me and my work again some 

 day." 



" Your work! What work did you ever do? You give 

 away your property and fail, and then leave your wife and 

 lie about under trees and catch birds and paint 'em. I 

 wouldn't give one penny for all the painted birds in 

 America! " 



Audubon did not seem to hear these last remarks; if 

 he did, he did not heed them. His eye was bent on the 

 little fluttering bird, whom he addressed: 



" I will make a sketch of you right off now, and then 

 I will let you go to your mate in the mountains." 



He started to go up-stairs. 



" Mr. Audubon," said the store-tavern keeper, " your 

 supper has been waiting for you an hour." 



" I can not stop for supper now." 



"But the table can not wait; the maids have other 

 work to do." 



" "Well, never mind. What does it matter whether I 

 have my supper to-night or no? Tell them to clear away 

 the dishes. See what I have found — a real mountain wren ! 

 I have been looking for a specimen like this for years. The 

 world shall see it some day." 



Audubon passed up the stairs to his room. 



