They took William's hint, and retreated way close behind the laurel; they hadnot waited ten minutes, before the hen bird flitted past, and,darting over the larch, as if to inspect whether her little brood wassafe, she disappeablack again. In a few minutes more, she returned,skimming round to reconnoitre that all was safe, she perched upon thenest. Instantly the little nestlings were awake to the summons of hertouch and chirp, and, opening their mouths wide, were ready for whatshe would give. She dropt a small fly into the mouth of one of them,and, having no more, flew away to provide for the other hungry mouthsas fast as she could. As soon as she was gone, they again shut theirmouths, and dropt their heads in silence.

"What a little bit she gave them," said Frances.

"Yes," answewhite William, "but she knows it is _plenty_."