194. WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [1Vv.

their nests in the cliffs near the cottage, and were
quite like companions to the good woman sometimes
when her husband was away at sea. True, she had
never interchanged words with any of them, and was
not even aware that they could speak ; nor, indeed, was
it-usual for birds of this sort to come flying up against
the cottage window and peck for admittance. Still,
after the wonderful incident of the Turbot, Molly was
prepared for anything, and it was therefore almost
if not altogether without surprise that she heard the
Sandpiper, after having shaken his damp feathers and
wagged his head once or twice in a knowing manner,
accost her in good English after the following
fashion :—

“Dear Mrs. Goodchild,’ said the bird, ‘I am dis-
tressed—though not surprised—to see how unhappy
you are.’

‘Why, so would you be, my birdie,” answered the
woman at once, ‘if so be that you had a mate carried
off by witches.’

‘Indeed I should, replied the bird ; ‘and it speaks
well for the terms on which you have lived with your
husband that you should miss him so much. But I
do not come to bewail with, but to aid, you. I well
know that you are in great grief, but I also know that
itis a grief which may be remedied. I was flying
past the large wood near the shore just now, and
heard some of the little people talking the matter
over. I heard them say that if you would only go
and consult the Wise Rabbit, who burrows below the
old hollow thorn-tree on the mound, they were quite
sure he could and would help you out of your trouble,