How Witlie made a Bird of Agnes. 181

 

such a long beak, staring up into the tree!—Miaw!
Miaw! Here comes the cat to eat you up!”

Agnes sprang to her feet in terror, and rushed
to Willie. She had so fully fancied herself a bird
_ that the very mention of the cat had filled her
with horror. Once more she took her thumb from
her mouth to give a little scream, and did not put
it in again,

“O Willie! you frightened me so
—joining, however, in his laugh.

“Poor birdie!” said Willie. “ Did the naughty
puss frighten it ? Stwoke its fedders den.—Stwoke it
—stwoke it,” he continued, smoothing down her hair.

“But wouldn't it be nice,” persisted Agnes, “to
be so tall as the birds can make themselves with
their wings? Fancy having your head up there in
the green leaves—so cool! and hearing them all
whisper, whisper, about your ears, and being able to
look down on people’s heads, you know, Willie!
I do wish I was a bird! I do!”

But with Willie to comfort and play with her,
she soon forgot her soaring ambition. Willie,
however, did not forget it. If Agnes wished to
enjoy the privacy of the leaves up in the height
of the trees, why shouldn’t she? At least, why
shouldn’t she if he could help her to it. Certainly
he couldn’t change her arms into wings, or cover
her with feathers, or make her bones hollow so
that the air might get all through her, even into

!” she said