r,
The dewdrops glitter,
In the hours of sunny spring;
I'll sing my best,
Till I go to rest,
With my head behind my wing."

"Now I want rest after my dinner," said the Portuguese. "You must
conform to the rules of the place while you are here. I want to sleep
now."

The little bird was quite taken aback, for he meant it kindly. When
madam awoke afterwards, there he stood before her with a little corn he
had found, and laid it at her feet; but as she had not slept well, she
was naturally in a bad temper. "Give that to a chicken," she said, "and
don't be always standing in my way."

"Why are you angry with me?" replied the little singing bird; "what have
I done?"

"Done!" repeated the Portuguese duck; "your mode of expressing yourself
is not very polite. I must call your attention to that fact."

"There was sunshine here yesterday," said the little bird, "but to-day
it is cloudy and the air is heavy."

"You know very little about the weather, I fancy," she retorted; "the
day is not over yet. Don't stand there looking so stupid."

"But you are looking at me just as the wicked eyes looked when I fell
into the yard yesterday."

"Impertinent creature!" exclaimed the Portuguese duck. "Would you
compare me with the cat--that beast of prey? There's not a drop of
malicious blood in me. I've taken your part, and now I'll teach you
better manners." So saying, she made a bite at the little singing-bird's
head, and he fell to the ground dead. "Now whatever is the meaning of
this?" she said. "Could he not bear even such a little peck as I gave
him? Then, certainly, he was not made for this world. I've been like a
mother to him, I know that, for I've a good heart."

Then the cock from the neighboring yard stuck his head in and crowed
with steam-engine power.

"You'll kill me with your crowing," she cried. "It's all your fault.
He's lost his life, and I'm very near losing mine."

"There's not much of him lying there," observed the cock.

"Speak of him with respect," said the Portuguese duck, "for he had
manners and education, and he could sing. He was affectionate and
gentle, and those are as rare qualities in animals as in those who call
themselves human beings."

Then all the ducks came crowding round the little dead bird. Ducks have
strong passions, whether they feel envy or pity. There was nothing to
envy here, so they all showed a great deal of pity. S