"Look!" said Dodo, "Jenny is scolding and dancing about, and Johnny is singing away again. What is the matter with them, Uncle Roy?"
"Did you never hear the 'Wrens' duet'? That is what they are singing now. Listen, and I will tell you what they say in House Peoples language:
"Johnny (keeping time with his wings):
I'm jolly Johnny Wren,
The busiest of men;
For I sing and I clean house, too.
Though wife is such a bustler,
'Tis I that am the hustler,
For I work when there's nothing to do!
"And I don't care to talk,
And I daren't take a walk,
For Jenny's such a jealous, j-e-a-l-o-u-s She!
"Jenny (keeping time with her head):
I'm thrifty Jenny Wren.
The foolish, lazy men
Think they work if they sing all day.
If husband is a martyr,
I'm a great deal, great deal smarter,
For I talk when I've nothing to say!
"And though I mind my work,
I also prink and perk,
For Johnny's such a f-a-s-cin-a-ting He!
"Both (beating time with all four wings):
(She) Though you don't care to talk—
(He) We might both take a walk—
(Both) For we are such a captivating WE!
Exeunt, dancing on tiptoe along the trellis."
The House Wren
Length five inches.
Upper parts dark brown finely barred with black.