A London Picnic 1§5

his. back was turned, Jim produced a big
pair of scissors and clipped his wing. ‘’E’s
safe now,’ he said. ‘An income for life!’

“You can imagine how heartbroken the
bird was, now that he could not possibly
expect to fulfil the duty laid upon him.
He only blamed himself, who had failed
to make the mortal understand his mes-
sage, but his spirit seemed broken, and
when the people paid their pennies and
came to see him, they were amazed at the
gentleness of a creature so terror-striking
in aspect. This went on for a week, and
Jim Smith grew prosperous, while the bird
became thinner and more miserable every
day on his diet of Indian corn. Then at
last But this is not my part of the tale.
You must ask the Artist for the rest.”

The Artist began promptly.

“T was wandering in the Walworth
Road,” he said, “when my attention was
attracted by a crowd that was leaving a
stable. A man in a red jersey was show-
ing the people out and asking questions.