But when he was going to creep into his nest he noticed there was somebody there already.
"What's this?" he said. "Who has taken the liberty to borrow my nest?"
"It is not yours," said the sparrow, who was lying there. "I am the swallow, and I have just come home from Africa. You may take my word for it, it was delightful there. I have heaps of things to tell you."
The swallow sat for a moment quite speechless. Then he screamed out in a furious passion,—
"You may take my word for it, I shall have something to say to you, you wretched sparrow! I might have guessed it was you who had the impudence to steal my nest. I noticed you were a little cracked even last year. Now, look sharp and come out of that. At once, I say!"
But it was no good the swallow's screaming and threatening. The sparrow was quite sure that he was in the right. He went on telling the swallow how he had just come home from Africa, and was so tired he really must have a quiet time to sleep.
"I will have my revenge," said the swallow as he flew away.
