SPINNETTE, THE FAIRY. 131 
wounded bird fluttered in the path before him, 
instead of caring for it, he, to vent his spite, 
kicked it roughly into the bushes. In doing 
this, he ran a thorn deep into his foot, and, if 
the Pinch had not fluttered off out of his reach, 
it would have paid with its life for his rage. 
Henry returned to the house with the 
water, and pretty soon he went off to the 
woods, limping, with his father. Oscar 
remained at home on that day to help his 
mother in lier brewing ; before the forenoon 
was half passed, more water was needed, and 
Oscar went to bring it. 
As he approached the spring, sauntering 
along carelessly, singing and whistling, the 
bird fluttered before him in the path, as it 
had done to Henry. He stopped and looked 
at it, when it fluttered its broken wing and 
chirped, apparently in great pain. Oscar care- 
fully took the wounded bird in his hand, and 
tenderly stroked its feathers, lifting the broken 
wing into place ; he then filled his pail and 
returned to the house, where he showed his 
prize to his mother, saying, ^ See ! mother, a 
