AND THEIR NEIGHBORS. 
197 
at work, carrying materials to her nest and 
shaping them into a commodious structure. 
Bob continued in a similar strain, and recited 
how he came to the north, and was followed 
by one of the young females, who could not be 
shaken off, but insisted upon being his devoted 
slave, and at last he was obliged to marry in 
order to get rid of her.” 
Hearing 
these things, 
Mr. Blackbird 
began to feel a 
sort of dislike 
for his neigh- 
bor ; for such 
vanity and self- 
conceit, not to 
say unkindness 
in his language, set him down as a worthless 
fellow, to say the least. Mrs. Blackbird did 
not perceive the foolishness of Bob’s song; 
like other weak-minded persons, she could 
detect nothing but brilliancy and wit in any 
thing said by her favorite. 
