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as she could; and made a good meal。 When she had finished; she lay
down again; and the little bird; who wished to be amiable; began to
sing;…
〃Chirp and twitter;
The dew…drops glitter;
In the hours of sunny spring;
I'll sing my best;
Till I go to rest;
With my head behind my wing。〃
〃Now I want rest after my dinner;〃 said the Portuguese; 〃you
must conform to the rules of the house while you are here。 I want to
sleep now。〃
The little bird was quite taken aback; for he meant it kindly。
When madam awoke afterwards; there he stood before her with a little
corn he had found; and laid it at her feet; but as she had not slept
well; she was naturally in a bad temper。 〃Give that to a chicken;〃 she
said; 〃and don't be always standing in my way。〃
〃Why are you angry with me?〃 replied the little singing…bird;
〃what have I done?〃
〃Done!〃 repeated the Portuguese duck; 〃your mode of expressing
yourself is not very polite。 I must call your attention to that fact。〃
〃It was sunshine here yesterday;〃 said the little bird; 〃but
to…day it is cloudy and the air is close。〃
〃You know very little about the weather; I fancy;〃 she retorted;
〃the day is not over yet。 Don't stand there; looking so stupid。〃
〃But you are looking at me just as the wicked eyes looked when I
fell into the yard yesterday。〃
〃Impertinent creature!〃 exclaimed the Portuguese duck: 〃would
you compare me with the cat… that beast of prey? There's not a drop of
malicious blood in me。 I've taken your part; and now I'll teach you
better manners。〃 So saying; she made a bite at the little
singing…bird's head; and he fell dead on the ground。 〃Now whatever
is the meaning of this?〃 〃she said; 〃could he not bear even such a
little peck as I gave him? Then certainly he was not made for this
world。 I've been like a mother to him; I know that; for I've a good
heart。〃
Then the cock from the neighboring yard stuck his head in; and
crowed with steam…engine power。
〃You'll kill me with your crowing;〃 she cried; 〃it's all your
fault。 He's lost his life; and I'm very near losing mine。〃
〃There's not much of him lying there;〃 observed the cock。
〃Speak of him with respect;〃 said the Portuguese duck; 〃for he had
manners and education; and he could sing。 He was affectionate and
gentle; and that is as rare a quality in animals as in those who
call themselves human beings。〃
Then all the ducks came crowding round the little dead bird。 Ducks
have strong passions; whether they feel envy or pity。 There was
nothing to envy here; so they all showed a great deal of pity; even
the two Chinese。 〃We shall never have another singing…bird again
amongst us; he was almost a Chinese;〃 they whispered; and then they
wept with such a noisy; clucking sound; that all the other fowls
clucked too; but the ducks went about with redder eyes afterwards。 〃We
have hearts of our own;〃 they said; 〃nobody can deny that。〃
〃Hearts!〃 repeated the Portuguese; 〃indeed you have; almost as
tender as the ducks in Portugal。〃
〃Let us think of getting something to satisfy our hunger;〃 said
the drake; that's the most important business。 If one of our toys is
broken; why we have plenty more。〃
THE END
。