“Yes, indeed,” answered his sister. “I can’t swallow any more now. I’m just making believe because you are not through.”
“All right!” said he.
He turned to the Chickens. “Now you may come,” he said. “But another time get out of our way more quickly.” Then they turned their backs and hopped off. They didn’t want to try flying, because that would show how very young they were.
“We did it,” exclaimed those two naughty children. “Did you ever see such little Geese as those Chickens? But oh, what if our parents should find it out?”
“See here,” chirped their mother, who could not speak very plainly because she had two large Earthworms hanging in wriggling loops from her bill, “Here is a lovely lunch for you.”
“Give it to Brother,” said the little sister. “He always wants more than I.”
“Oh, no. Give it to Sister,” said he. “I don’t mean to be selfish.”
“You shall both have some,” said their mother, tucking a large Worm down each unwilling throat. “Little birds will never be big birds unless they eat plenty of the right kind of food. I will bring you more.”
When she was gone they looked at each other. “I just can not eat another billful,” said the sister.
“And I won’t!” said the brother. After a while he added, “Is there any of that mush sticking to my bill?”