at delight to a bird
which was singing away with all its might, perched on a neighboring
twig. And what do you think the bird was saying in its song?

"You horrid little monster, why will you not go away? I want to get some
caterpillars from that tree behind you, and I cannot get at them while
you are there. My children are waiting for their dinner, and though I
have asked you fifty times, as politely as I could, to move, you will
not stir, but just sit there and look silly. Oh! you provoking little
creature! I should like to peck you!" And little Hannchen, smiling,
said "thank you, pretty bird, for your sweet song!"

[Illustration]

It was quite a piece of work to catch Master Jose, but John came out to
help Thomas and finally the obstinate little brown gentleman was fairly
cornered, and had to submit to the halter.

"Poor fellow!" said Brighteyes. "It must seem very hard to be tied up
all the time. I am sure _I_ should not like to have a strap round my
nose, Tomty, and stand all day with nothing but the barn walls to look
at."

"And indeed you would not, Miss!" replied Tomty gravely. "But sure no
one would go for to put a strap round a little lady's nose, Miss, let
alone putting her in the barn."

"Oh! you funny Tomty!" cried Brighteyes. "I meant, if I were a donkey,
of course!"

"Yes, Miss! but you see you are not a donkey," said Tomty placidly. "And
now I must go back to the flower-beds again, Miss Brighteyes," he
added. "And will you go with me, Miss, or shall I leave you here?"

"Well, Tomty, I think I will stay here for a little while and talk to
the chickabiddies. I don't think they know me yet, and I want them to
know me and love me, for Uncle Jack says I may feed them every morning.
You won't be lonely without me, will you, Tomty?"

"Well, Miss, I'll do my best!" said Tomty.

With which rather vague remark the good man took up his wheelbarrow and
departed, leaving Brighteyes alone in the barn-yard. Alone, that is,
except for the fowls. They had just arrived that morning, and they
evidently did not feel at home in their new quarters. The hens were
scratching and bustling about in great excitement, while one of the
roosters, standing on top of the fence, preached them a sermon on
keeping their tempers.

"Be calm!" he said. "Be calm, my dears! haste makes waste. Observe my
tranquil demeanor! the truly great are calm in the midst of strife."

[Illustration]

And he shut one eye, and looked at Brig