Archie's Grandpafa. 161

 

beautiful peacocks, with their tails spread. out,
strutting about on the grass. The poor ugly
peahen was walking by herself a little way off.

“Why, cried Tom, “they’re even more
finely dressed than the parrots at the Zoo-
logical Gardens! And how proud they
seem |” |

“Well,” said the old gentleman; “and
wouldn’t you be proud if you had such a tail ?
Look at the splendid colours.”

“ But,’ said Archie, “it’s a shame that the
peahen should be so shabby, while her hus-
band is so grand.”

“ Never mind, never mind,” said his grand-
papa. ‘She doesn’t care, assure you. Her
feathers make just as warm a covering. She
has the same comfort without the show.”

“And I like you just as well, poor brown
peahen,” called Tom, after they had said
good-bye, and were turning away. “It isn’t
your fault that you haven't so fine a tail as
the peacock ; and anyway, you don't look half
so proud.” |

They went back to the arbour. The old