38 WHISPERS FROM FAIRVLAND, [it

 

spring. Well nurtured and cared for, we grew daily in
size, and improved in health and vigour.

Our naked forms became gradually covered with
protecting feathers, although it was some time before
they acquired that black and glossy appearance which
is so highly vaiued among rooks who value their per-
sonal beauty. As days rolled on, although we grew
bigger, our nest unfortunately did not follow our
example, and consequently that which had at first
seemed to us, as indeed it was, a spacious and com-
modious abode, began to afford scant accommodation
for our developing frames. In short, we were more
crowded than was at all pleasant, and I do not know
how we should have managed, had not our maternal
parent one day suggested that there was an outside
as well as an inside to every nest, and that we must
not confine ourselves entirely to the latter. Shecon-
veyed her meaning in a somewhat forcible manner,
pushing us all three bodily over the side of the nest,
and bidding us take the fresh air as best we could.

Trembling with fright, we sat shivering on the
nearest branches, our little hearts penetrated with the
most profound grief at that which appeared to us the
cruel and unnatural conduct of the mother in whose
love we had hitherto so implicitly trusted. Ah! we
did not know then, as I know well enough now, that
our parents are the best judges of what is good for us,
and that things which sometimes seem harsh and un-
just to us are really intended for our benefit, and are
in fact the very best things which could have hap-
pened to us. So indeed it was in this case. We
soon learned to balance ourselves on the branches