But as he looked into Father Swallow’s worried and anxious face, he decided that he was quite selfish to be so full of his own affairs. He arose, and pulling himself together said, “Surely, there must be something that I can do to help.”
Indeed, there was much to do, and Ready soon found his heart getting lighter as he helped the Swallows carry feathers and twigs to make the little bed by the pond.
Of course, this carrying of twigs and feathers was not a dog’s work, and once a little Spaniel, from a field near by, barked “Baby! Baby!” It was hard indeed not to run after him and give him a good whipping, but this time Ready kept his head by saying to himself in a low tone, over and over again:
“My Master Dick is waiting, waiting, my dear, dear Master Dick.” This helped wonderfully.
In a few minutes the little bed was made. It was a lovely soft one, beautifully lined with feathers brought from a chicken yard near by.
Dr. Barn Swallow
Fluffy Forked Tail felt better immediately, and when two of the swallows, who had been watching on the telephone wire, twittered excitedly, “They are coming!” he roused himself and chirped “Good, good!”
Dr. Barn Swallow, who looked very handsome in his beautiful buff vest, turned out to be a very good physician. He took Fluffy’s pulse and gave him a tablet at once. Then he said, “He will be better in a few hours, but must have a good sleep now. After that he must go home and remain in bed the rest of the day.”
Ready’s heart sank at these words, but he again pulled himself together.