130 
OUR BIRDS IN WINTER. 
and for a good purpose. Spinnette determined 
to see if the boys were deserving of her favor 
before she befriended them. At this time, 
Oscar, the youngest, was sixteen years of age, 
a fine, manly, young fellow with deep-blue 
eyes, a graceful form, and a pleasant, smiling 
countenance. Henry, the other, was seven- 
teen, more firmly built than his brother, with 
dark-hazel eyes, and a thoughtful countenance 
that often wore a sulky look, if any thing dis- 
pleased him. 
Spinnette, early in the morning, the next 
day after her visit to Tobin’s cottage, took the 
form of a Greenfinch with a broken wing, and, 
placing herself by the spring from which the 
woodman’s family carried all the water used in 
their house, awaited the approach of one of 
the family. The first to come was Henry, his 
father having sent him for water. Now, un- 
less he felt in the liumor, he particularly dis- 
liked going on this errand, and to-day he was 
uncommonly opposed to going ; but, as his 
father insisted, of course he had to obey : he 
was, therefore, in ill temper, and when the 
