mount the stairs, and you'll find story upon story all filled with
valuable facts! I assure you, Nelly, that it is a very curious and
interesting place to visit, and I never go to General Knowledge without
carrying back something well worth the having. I'm just on my way to him
now."

"I should like to go with you," said Nelly; "I shall want beds, tables,
and chairs; and as I can't carry much at once, I shall need to go very
often to the warehouse."

"Come then now, and be quick!" cried Dick, who was, as usual, impatient
to start.

"I think--indeed I am sure," replied Nelly, "that Duty would advise me
first to finish the task which I have begun. If other furniture were
brought in just now, I might find it harder to nail down my carpet."

"Good-bye, dear drudge!" cried Dick; "I believe that it would be better
for us all if we stuck to the counsels of Duty as steadily as you always
do! But you see I'm a quick, sharp fellow, and don't like to be tied
down by rules; I get what I will, when I will, and where I will; and
depend on't, in the end I'll win the crown of Success, for no cottage of
Head will be found so well-furnished as mine!"

And with this somewhat conceited speech on his tongue, off darted our
clever young Dick, ran down hill Puzzle at speed, and lightly sprang
over brook Bother!

CHAPTER XX.

THE PURSUED BIRD.

"There is no doubt but that Dick will be the one to win the crown," was
the silent reflection of Nelly; "I work from no hopes of getting _that_;
but it will be quite reward enough for me if my dear mother be pleased
with my cottage; and smiles from Duty and Affection would make any
labour seem light."

By dint of steady hammering Nelly at last managed to fix in a goodly
number of dates. When she was satisfied that enough had been done, she
rose from her knees, and relieved herself by a yawn.

"I will go and see after my Plain-work," said she; "the fruit upon it is
swelling quite big--I am glad that it will be perfectly ripe when my
dear mother comes back. If she be satisfied with it, how little shall I
grudge my past trouble--how joyful and happy I shall be!"

Nelly uttered these words as she crossed her threshold, and felt the
fresh, pleasant air playing upon her flushed cheek and her aching brow.

At that moment her ear caught a whirring sound, as of wings, and looking
upwards, she beheld a beautiful bird pursued by a hawk darting down
towards her at the utmost speed that terro