OUR HOME BIRDS. 
17 
dren particularly delighted, as “ splendid” places in 
which to tell stories at twilight, or read them, and 
which was their own especial apartment for study or 
for play. Miss Harson looked lovingly on the little 
group that clustered closely about her with such con- 
fiding affection, and said with a smile, “ I rather sus- 
pect, Malcolm, that your question this evening will 
be a very flighty one. What is it ?” 
“ I should like to know, if you please,” replied 
Malcolm sturdily, “why boys can’t fly? I think 
they ought to.” 
“ ’Course they can’t !” exclaimed Clara, quite con- 
temptuously. 
“ We know that they can’t, dear,” said the govern- 
ess, “ but we also wish to know the reason why. So, 
if you will listen very carefully, I will read you 
something that, unless you really care to find out this 
reason, you may think dull. But I will make it as 
interesting as I can. A gentleman who has studied 
the subject attentively says : 
“ ‘ From the earliest ages men have been so envious 
of the flight of birds that they have tried to imitate 
their feathered friends, and endeavored like them to 
skim at their ease through the atmosphere. But 
every effort has proved unavailing, and every man- 
bird has ignominiously failed in his attempt — some 
adventurers having lost their courage, some their 
2 * B 
