“Only for a short time, my dear. It’s an engagement I made some time ago. Very sorry, upon my honor; but I must keep my word!”
“How can you treat me so?” said the bright-eyed sparrow. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself. I’ll go back to-morrow, and never live with you any more!”
The sparrow considered a moment. He was a good-natured fellow in spite of his roving propensities. He looked at the bright-eyed sparrow; she was crying, and he couldn’t leave her feeling so unhappy. He went up to her and said in a very tender tone,—
“See here, my dear! don’t you know that you’re going to work the wrong way? I am the easiest fellow to manage you ever saw if you know how to take me.”
“I wish I knew the way to take you,” answered the bright-eyed sparrow; “I’d take it fast enough. I manage you, indeed!” and she gave a scornful little laugh.
“Did you ever hear that you could catch more flies with molasses than with vinegar?” said the sparrow. “Well, my dear, I am willing to be caught with molasses, but clip my pinions if you’ll catch me with vinegar! Come, my dear,” he said very gently and putting his little head close to hers, “if you want me to stay at home tell me that you care a little for me, and make me feel good, instead of telling me what a worthless fellow I am.”
“Will you really and truly stay?” said the bright-eyed sparrow, smiling through her tears.
“Really and truly,” answered the sparrow tenderly.
“Then I’ll think you are the dearest and best husband in the whole world,” answered the bright-eyed sparrow; and she reached up her little beak and gave him a hearty kiss.
“That’s as it should be,” said Mrs. Polly to herself, with her nod of satisfaction, “but it won’t last long. He’ll be trying it over again soon, and they’ll not always make up so easy. I do wish he had firmer principles!”