ld be given to the pussy cat, and everything
disagreeable to him. She was doing this for no reason whatever, except
that she once heard her brother speaking to a parrot in this manner to
see it made angry; and poor Cockatoo, who always considered himself a
very pretty bird, and had never been spoken to so unkindly before, was
certainly ruffled enough.

"Pretty Cockatoo," he said in reply, looking from Jane to Grace, who
could not bear to annoy the poor bird.

"Oh, don't speak so, Jane," said Grace; "Cockatoo is such an amiable,
pretty bird! He has been so good-natured ever since we came; and Herbert
says he is trying to be contented, though of course he greatly prefers
to live in his native woods, poor bird."

"But how does Herbert know the cockatoo likes that?" said Jane.

"Oh, because a fairy gave him permission to understand the language of
the birds," replied Grace; "and the cockatoo told him his whole
history."

"Oh dear! how funny!" said Jane. "I wonder if the fairy would give me
permission!"

"No, I don't think so," said Grace; "people must be very kind to all the
animals, both great and small, else the fairy will not give them that
power. But Herbert says, if we are very kind to the animals, even
although we do not understand their language exactly as he does, we will
get to understand a different kind; and by the expression in their eye,
and by their voice, will know when they are happy or sad. Now, you
always kill every insect and fly you see."

"I really can't help killing them. I wonder why they were made at all,"
said Jane.

"But, Jane, do you never think how displeased God must be if you kill
even a beetle?" said Grace. "I remember reading somewhere----

'The poor beetle that we tread upon,
In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great
As when a giant dies.'"

"I can't help it," said Jane; "I do hate beetles; and even if they do
suffer, I must kill them."

By this time the two girls had come close to the place where Herbert
and Charley were, and they heard what Jane said quite plainly. Herbert
was about to express his indignation, when Polly called out, "I'm
shocked! leave the room! murder! oh dear! oh fie!"

"You may well say so, Polly," said Herbert. "I cannot understand how any
one can kill one of God's creatures--more especially a girl."

That afternoon, when the children were busily engaged playing at blowing
soap bubbles, Jane stole out into the garden, and crossed over to where