Белая птичка
The Little Nursery Governess
Hewasamissel-thrush,attractedthitherthathotdaybyahosewhichlayonthegroundsendingforthagaytrickleofwater,andDavidwasonhisbackinthewater,kickinguphislegs.Heusedtoenjoybeingtoldofthis,havingforgottenallaboutit,andgraduallyitallcamebacktohim,withanumberofotherincidentsthathadescapedmymemory,thoughIrememberthathewaseventuallycaughtbythelegwithalongstringandacunningarrangementoftwigsneartheRoundPond.Henevertiresofthisstory,butInoticethatitisnowhewhotellsittomeratherthanItohim,andwhenwecometothestringherubshislittlelegasifitstillsmarted.
SowhenDavidsawhischanceofbeingamissel-thrushagainhecalledouttomequickly:“Don’tdroptheletter!”andthereweretree-topsinhiseyes.
“Thinkofyourmother,”Isaidseverely.
Hesaidhewouldoftenflyintoseeher.Thefirstthinghewoulddowouldbetohugher.No,hewouldalightonthewater-jugfirst,andhaveadrink.
“Tellher,father,”hesaidwithhorridheartlessness,“alwaystohaveplentyofwaterinit,’cosifIhadtoleandowntoofarImightfallinandbedrownded.”
“AmInottodroptheletter,David?Thinkofyourpoormotherwithoutherboy!”
Itaffectedhim,butheboreup.Whenshewasasleep,hesaid,hewouldhopontothefrillythingsofhernight-gownandpeckathermouth.
“Andthenshewouldwakeup,David,andfindthatshehadonlyabirdinsteadofaboy.”
ThisshocktoMarywasmorethanhecouldendure.“Youcandropit,”hesaidwithasigh
