Polly was sitting among the bushes. Of late Mrs. Polly had rather
enjoyed being set at liberty, and, with Cockatoo, would sometimes defy
the cat and her kittens. Coming up to her now, Jane began to tell Polly
she never meant to kill an animal or an insect again; and that she meant
to strive very hard, in the hope that the good fairy would let her
understand the language of the birds.

Herbert, who had been playing as busily as any of his cousins, began to
notice that the cockatoo was a good deal afraid of the airy soap
bubbles--especially when they lighted on his back--and so he took him
off his perch as quietly as possible, not to disturb the game, and
carried him away, to place him beside Mrs. Polly. By this means he had
overheard Jane's speech.

"I am very glad to hear you say so," he said. "I am sure if you would
only take the trouble to examine a little more closely the insects you
are so fond of killing, you would be surprised at their beauty. I will
lend you my book, if you like. I really cannot understand why boys and
girls take such little interest in natural history. Speaking of
fairies, you will read of them there in the shape of the
butterflies--what can be more fairy-like?--and I will tell you what
mamma often says: if we only knew what pleasure we could draw from
common objects around us, rainy days would be less dreary, and we should
have happier hearts and more contented minds."

"I feel you are right there, Master Herbert," said the cockatoo. "I have
felt twice as happy since Mrs. Polly persuaded me to make the most of my
present condition; and I ought to have known it by experience--having
brought all my troubles upon myself by cherishing a discontented
spirit."

"Ah, children, children," said Mrs. Polly, with a wise shake of her
head, "when you come to look back upon life from as long a pilgrimage,
you will see that the busier you are, and the more good you do, there
will be less inclination to be discontented. And with such a beautiful
world around you, and so much to learn about it, and the wise lessons it
can teach, who would be anything but contented?--But I am keeping you
from your companions, Master Herbert, so I must wish you good-day, sir.
Good-day, miss," said Polly in English; "I'll now take a nap;" and with
that she laid her head on her back, and went off to sleep.

As Cockatoo followed her example, Herbert knew by experience no more
could be got out of them; and with a united "Good-