"Of course," said Maudie. "It is all that that has given her a headache. It is nearly always Hoodie that gives her headaches. I wonder how she can."
"But, Maudie dear," said her godmother very gently, "do you think it is quite kind of you to speak so? It is right to be sorry when Hoodie is naughty, but remember how much younger she is than you. And she does not want to make your mother ill—when she is naughty she just forgets all but the feelings she has herself, but that is different from wishing to hurt her mother."
Maudie grew very red.
"Yes," she said in a low voice, "I see how you mean, Cousin Magdalen. I don't want to say unkind things of Hoodie."
"No, dear. I don't think you do," said her godmother. "Tell me why do you call that field 'the cocky field'?"
Maudie laughed.
"Oh, it's because in one corner of it there's the little house papa's made for the bantam cocks. Oh, Cousin Magdalen, they are such ducks."
"Such ducks," echoed Hec and Duke. "And they lay such lovely eggs."
"What remarkable creatures they must be," said Miss King. "But I must own I don't quite see how they can be ducks if they're cocks and hens."
All the children laughed.