Page:Penelope's Progress.djvu/201

Rh Willie and I interpreted the clamor somewhat as follows:—

[Between parent birds.] "I am going to take my foot off. Are you ready to put yours on? Don't be clumsy! Wait a minute, I'm not ready. I'm not ready, I tell you! NOW!!" [Between rival mothers.] "Your egg is so close to mine that I can't breathe"—

"Move your egg, then, I can't move mine!"

"You're sitting so close, I can't stretch my wings." "Neither can I. You've got as much room as I have."

"I shall tumble if you crowd me."

"Go ahead and tumble, then! There is plenty of room in the sea."

[From one father to another, ceremoniously.] "Pardon me, but I am afraid I shoved your wife off the rock last night."

"Don't mention it. I remember I shoved off your wife's mother last year."

We walked among the tiny whitewashed low-roofed cots, each with its silver-skinned fishes tacked invitingly against the door-frame to dry, until we came to my favorite, the corner cottage in the row. It has beautiful narrow garden strips in front,—solid patches of color in sweet gilly-flower bushes, from which the kindly housewife