They came under the elm and talked, and the young Wrens listened. And when the old people returned they related the conversation of Farmer Smith and the strangers.
They were greatly excited, as something was said about cutting the "old elm" down.
But the parents quieted their troubled wrenlets with a good supper and, putting them to sleep, they talked the matter over in a whisper with their heads close together.
The next day, charging the children to listen carefully, they flew away, returning soon with a good dinner.
As they sat eating, Miss Kittie Wren spoke up:
"They came again, and I heard Farmer Smith say that this tree was indeed in the way. He could not raise anything about it, it shaded everything so. 'But I can't bear,' he said—I couldn't hear the rest. But I guess it was something awful, and we'll have to get right out of our pretty house or be cut down. O dear, dear!"
And they all set up a cry, and were quieted only when told there was no danger, because Farmer Smith said "But."
The next day, on their return, Master Fred related the talk.
"Farmer Smith said: 'I can't get through winter, as I see, without cutting up "old elm" for wood. But, dear me, how can I? I set it out, and have enjoyed its shade so long. Yet I suppose some day it must come down for firewood.'"
"No danger yet," said Mr. Wren. "So long as that 'But' stands there he can't strike 'old elm' one blow."