THE NEIGHBOURING FAMILIES. 307

 

The Painter sketching the Rose Bush.

believed it was the middle of summer, there hopped about in the
clean dry courtyard of the nobleman’s seat, in front of the great
steps, a number of Pigeons, black, and white, and variegated,
all shining in-the sunlight. The old Mother-Pigeons said to
their young ones,

“Stand in groups, stand in groups, for that looks much better.”

“What are those little grey creatures, than run about behind
us?” asked an old Pigeon, with red and green in her eyes.
Little grey ones, little grey ones !” she cried.

“They are sparrows, good creatures. We have always had the
reputation of being kind, so we will allow them to pick up the

20—2