“Why do you accuse Nancy of taking it?”—Page [204.]
CHAPTER XVII.
Mrs. Polly looked seriously from the sparrow, who sat pluming his ruffled feathers, to his little wife, who looked as fresh and bright-eyed as ever.
“I want to have a little talk with you,” began Mrs. Polly in a serious tone, “and I take it that this is as good a time as any.”
“Delighted, I’m sure,” said the sparrow indifferently, as he continued his toilet.
“I’ve noticed,” said Mrs. Polly severely, for she was not pleased with the sparrow’s frivolous manner, “that you neglect your family a good deal. I’ve seen more than you are aware of.”
“Flattered, I’m sure, by the attention,” replied the sparrow, carefully picking out a particularly rough feather and drawing his beak through it.
“My friend,” said Mrs. Polly in the same serious tone, “you won’t deter me from doing my duty by such frivolous remarks. I have lived in the world long enough to see many generations of sparrows come and go, and I shall not see a young couple beginning life start out on such a mistaken course as you have chosen, without making an attempt to set them right. Pray, what were you married for, I should like to know?”
The sparrow considered a moment and then said waggishly,—