MOTHER SPECKS’ NEST 
25 
“Yes/* Tommy’s mother agreed; “the day 
is just right, and you may take your sister 
for a romp on the waves.’’ 
Now, a romp on the waves on such a day 
was as much fun as a Fourth of July picnic, 
for there had been a great storm on the 
Arctic Sea and now the waves were rolling 
gloriously. Away scampered the children, 
and Mother Specks settled herself down on 
her nest for the day. 
Mother Specks, however, had been alone 
a very short time when she, too, became 
restless. There was no reason at all why 
she might not go for a little swim herself 
to catch a red-faced shrimp or two for her 
breakfast. Her eggs would not get cold, 
for had she not torn her heavy winter coat 
into little downy bits and covered her eggs 
deep, deep with it? And so, giving her 
nest a little tuck here and there, she glided 
down to the water’s edge and was soon 
enjoying a fine plunge. 
As Mother Specks made her third dive, 
who should come along but Miss Swan? 
