78 
A CHAPTER IN THE 
gather the eggs of insects, and delicate little 
caterpillars and beetles and worms, and carry 
them to the mouths that are always stretched 
wide open, calling for more.” And is it 
any wonder that, when night comes, and the 
parents, before going to sleep, are talking 
over the incidents and trials of the day, Mrs. 
Wren, tired almost to death, envies the easy 
life of the widow Cow Bunting, and almost 
declares that she will henceforth imitate her ? 
and should we not commend her when she 
puts the temptation aside, and conducts her- 
self like an honest Wren, as she always is ? 
And so, day after day, does this worthy 
couple labor in this work of love. Mrs. Wren 
has no time to spend before the glass ; she 
cannot, until this family is grown up, change 
her clothes, and her dress gets ragged and 
torn. Her husband cannot find time to in- 
dulge in a little song, for the moment he 
strikes up an air, he hears a dozen little voices, 
in his house, crying, ‘^Papa^papa^ more food; ” 
so he gets somewhat morose, and goes about 
silent, and looking a little careworn and shabby. 
