s and pearls all over the ground. As to the sheep, they
would quite rattle with the knobs of ice upon their wool, while the
turnips they were nibbling out in the fields were like snowballs. And
away skimmed Jack Frost by the light of the bright moon, while all the
stars kept laughing and winking at his freaks, and soon again all the
country was powdered over with snow, and the water all turned to ice.
Then at night, when the cold cutting wind would hum outside the doors
and sing through all the chinks, trying to get in, people would draw the
red curtains close, and heap up the dry logs of wood upon the fire till
the bright blue flames would dance and flicker, and flicker and dance,
and roar up the chimney; but all the time sending such warmth and
comfort through the rooms that the wind would give up trying, and,
knowing that it could not battle with such a warm fire, would rush off
again over the bare woods and fields to help Jack Frost, and bear away
the words of the song he was singing, so that everybody could hear it.
For the icy fellow as he skimmed along would laugh and shout to see how
everybody was afraid of him, and lighted fires to keep him away; and
then he would sing,--

"I kiss cheeks and make them rosy;
I make people wrap up cosy;
I bring chilblains, chaps, and nipping;
I send people quickly tripping.
See my breath all silver lacing;
Feel my touch how cold and bracing;
Come and race o'er ground so snowy;
Come and trip 'mid breezes blowy.
I'll make little eyes look brightly;
I'll make little hearts beat lightly;
And when cheeks grow red as cherry,
Then will echo voices merry.
For I'm Jack Frost who makes cheeks rosy;
I make people wrap up cosy;
I bring chilblains, chaps, and nipping;
But send the little people tripping."

But in spite of all Jack Frost could do, the birds at Greenlawn would
manage to get through the harsh time of winter, looking out for the
spring to come again; and happy and contented, though always very busy,
and trying hard to do their duty as well when the cold wintry rains
fell, or the biting sleet, or soft falling snow, or even when the ground
was all hard and they were nearly starved, as when plenty reigned
around; for still they hoped on, and waited for spring, that seemed so
long in coming, but yet would surely come at last, however long it might
appear, and tire their patience.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

FALSE ALARM.

One morning, when a