The Big Snow 201 



with his head the least bit aside. Evidently 

 he was in deep thought. As a result of it, 

 he marched to the side of the glass, stretched 

 his neck cautiously and peeped behind it. It 

 stood perhaps six inches from the wall — room 

 enough for a bird, but no bird there. In a 

 flash he was at the other side, peeping there 

 also. Still finding no bird he walked out in 

 front and again began a battle with his own 

 image. He did not give it up until he caught 

 a faint hiss from outside, looked over his 

 shoulder, and saw the other bird upon the 

 sill. Then he hesitated a minute, as though 

 uncertain which to fight, but at last smoothed 

 himself, turned his head aside, and twittered 

 amicably to the bird in the glass, as who should 

 say : " We are friends ! Certainly ! Come 

 and let us two finish this other impertinent 

 fellow ! " 



The bird in the glass also turned his head 

 and twittered amicably. The bird outside 

 gave his tail a diplomatic flirt. It was an- 

 swered as diplomatically. In a flash the cap- 

 tive was at the window, ruffling and scowling 

 furiously at the bird outside. But he kept 

 looking over his shoulder, for the other bird, 

 until it grew so late his real enemy flew ofF 

 to roost. Then with a louder scowl, he flew 

 up again on the secretary, fidgeted there a min- 

 ute, spread his wings and made a hopping 



