Doves.
The boys now had to go back with their host, who, by the way, made them so comfortable that they forgave him for shooting their hawk.
The next day found the boys approaching the cottages where the warrener told them the bustards' eggs might be found.
"Now," said Frank, as they stopped under the lee of the wood, "let us have a consultation. How had we better go to work? If we show them that we have come specially for the eggs they will ask too great a price for them. I vote we go and ask for a drink of water, and then praise the children, if any, and so get into conversation; and then ask in an incidental way about the bustards."
This seemed the proper way of going to work, so they appointed Frank spokesman, and then marched up to the nearest cottage. A woman opened the door to them, and peeping in, they saw behind her half-a-dozen children, all young.
"Can you give us a drink of water, ma'am?" said Frank, in his politest tone.
"Oh yes, sir," answered the woman with a curtsey. "Won't you step indoors. But wouldn't you like a cup of milk better than water?"
"Thank you, very much," replied Frank. "But what nice little children you have got," and he patted one on the head.
"Lovely," said Jimmy enthusiastically, and picking out the cleanest he kissed it.
"Well, sir," answered the woman with a smile, "they be as healthy as most, and as fine I dare say, but they are a great deal of trouble."