Parting Guests 



the steps and a flick of the tail, a flutter to the 

 chair-back then a quick dart to the nest while 

 all the time a worm was dangling down his waist- 

 coat. It was his duty to provide, but he took his 

 time about it and gave it an air of pompous con- 

 descension. 



In a short time three yellow beaks appeared 

 above the rim, opening at the first sign of 

 approach. Then only I learned the meaning of 

 the word "maw." There was no closing them. 

 A quick gulp and again they were open. A few 

 more days and three long necks were visible. It 

 was at this stage that I marveled at maternal 

 pride. But when at last the birds had feathered 

 out and sat facing me, their beaks tilted upward 

 and their white bibs showing, I berated myself 

 for my distrust. By this time they had begun to 

 give themselves airs. They would plume them- 

 selves like old fops, they resented cuddling; and 

 even on cold days when their mother tried to 

 hover them, she found it awkward work. No 

 sooner would she settle ovex them, than a head 

 pried up each wing and a small plump figure 

 would sprawl out from her breast. 

 [285] 



