158 I** THE DAYS OF AUDUBON 



" But, baron," said the agent, " the work is magnificent 

 and very expensive. It will delight the baroness and your 

 children." 



" I can't help that. I will give you five pounds for it; 

 I will give you just that and no more." 



" Then you must return the volumes," said the agent. 

 " Your subscription is a legal matter." 



But Audubon had not the means to bring a suit against 

 the money-lender, who thought that he could not spare one 

 thousand dollars for a book of birds, no matter what it 

 cost human science and human achievement to produce. 



Birds did not appeal to the baron: 



" A primrose by the river's brim 



A yellow primrose was to him, 



And it was nothing more. "J 



