114 
OUR BIRDS IN WINTER. 
render them no assistance. I trust you may 
never have so sad an experience. On the fifth 
morning the sun came out bright and warm, 
and melted the ice, so that I was able, with 
much exertion, to break my way through it. 
I think I never shall forget those cruel four 
days of imprisonment ; as for my children, I 
have since thought they are better off as tliey 
are. But you have been listening all this time 
to the tale of my afQictions, and now you must 
give me a little account of yours, that is, if 
the memory of them is not too much for you 
to bear.” 
No : I will tell you about my troubles ; the 
story is but a short one, and I cannot, in justice 
to you, refrain from telling it.” 
Woodcock here commenced the narration 
of the death of his wife and young ones ; but, 
as my readers are already familiar with it, we 
will not repeat it. 
At its close. Grouse offered his sympathies 
to his aflicted friend, and they were recipro- 
cated by Woodcock for the troubles of the 
other. As it was now drawing to the close of 
