cannot be too patient."

"Ah! I know nothing about the feelings of parents," said the Water-rat;
"I am not a family man. In fact, I have never been married, and I never
intend to be. Love is all very well in its way, but friendship is much
higher. Indeed, I know of nothing in the world that is either nobler or
rarer than a devoted friendship."

"And what, pray, is your idea of the duties of a devoted friend?" asked
a green Linnet, who was sitting in a willow-tree hard by, and had
overheard the conversation.

"Yes, that is just what I want to know," said the Duck; and she swam
away to the end of the pond, and stood upon her head, in order to give
her children a good example.

"What a silly question!" cried the Water-rat. "I should expect my
devoted friend to be devoted to me, of course."

"And what would you do in return?" said the little bird, swinging upon a
silver spray, and flapping his tiny wings.

"I don't understand you," answered the Water-rat.

"Let me tell you a story on the subject," said the Linnet.

"Is the story about me?" asked the Water-rat. "If so, I will listen to
it, for I am extremely fond of fiction."

"It is applicable to you," answered the Linnet; and he flew down, and
alighting upon the bank, he told the story of The Devoted Friend.

"Once upon a time," said the Linnet, "there was an honest little fellow
named Hans."

"Was he very distinguished?" asked the Water-rat.

"No," answered the Linnet, "I don't think he was distinguished at all,
except for his kind heart, and his funny round good-humoured face. He
lived in a tiny cottage all by himself, and every day he worked in his
garden. In all the country-side there was no garden so lovely as his.
Sweet-william grew there, and Gilly-flowers, and Shepherds'-purses, and
Fair-maids of France. There were damask Roses, and yellow Roses, lilac
Crocuses and gold, purple Violets and white. Columbine and Ladysmock,
Marjoram and Wild Basil, the Cowslip and the Flower-de-luce, the
Daffodil and the Clove-Pink bloomed or blossomed in their proper order
as the months went by, one flower taking another flower's place, so that
there were always beautiful things to look at, and pleasant odours to
smell.

[Illustration: THE GREEN LINNET]

"Little Hans had a great many friends, but the most devoted friend of
all was big Hugh the Miller. Indeed, so devoted was the rich Miller to
little Hans, that he would never go by his garden without leaning over