220 
THE TO WHEE BUNTINGS 
have not lost one spark of your generosity, 
and none of your kind acts have been un- 
noticed.’’ 
There, there,” interrupted Towhee, you 
must not talk in this strain ; keep as quiet as 
possible ; do not get excited, and we hope to 
see you well before the blueberries are gone.” 
Do not deceive yourself or me,” answered 
Bob. I know well that my time has come. 
Towhee, during all my abuse of you not one 
word of resentment passed your tongue. You 
must have suffered, for one must be more than 
mortal not to suffer under such ill-treatment. 
I feel that I should leave these scenes with an 
easier mind if I knew that you forgive me. 
Can you forget all the pain that I have caused 
you ? Can you, when I humbly acknowledge 
my fault, forgive me ? ” 
The Towhees, who were visibly affected, at 
first made no answer ; but Mr. Towhee, quickly 
recovering himself, assured Bob that they had 
not cherished any ill-feeling for him ; that they 
felt they were weak and imperfect themselves, 
and that they were as needy of charity as 
