"You would not doubt the truth of what I say," continued the Spider, shrugging his shoulders, and making a comical grimace, "if you once sniffed the horribly fishy odor of the Kingfisher's burrow. Bah! I can smell it yet. I hid in a dark corner, watching them as long as I dared; for I feared I should be crushed when the bird came out again, the entrance was so small.
"'How do you find yourself, my love?' inquired the father Kingfisher politely.
"'It is rather dull, you know,' replied the mother Kingfisher. 'Hush, nestlings, you cannot eat another morsel; so be quiet.'
"They chippered together for a while; then I ran out just in time, for the other followed quickly.
"'What are you doing in my house?' he asked angrily.
"'I wanted to see how pretty it might be,' I answered saucily.
"Upon this the Kingfisher pounced at me; but I dodged this way and that, and a fine race we had of it. Finally, I saw a lady and gentleman walking along together; so I climbed upon her trailing dress, while the bird grew shy, and flew away. I strolled about upon the lady's dress for a while, until she saw me, and gave a shriek of alarm. This was even better fun than the race with the Kingfisher. I cantered up and down, the gentleman trying in vain to catch me; I pretended to run off upon the grass; then I stole back, and hid inside one of her curls. Here I remained all the evening, peering out now and then, when she returned to the house, to watch the gay lights and people. When she retired to her room, she combed me out of my hiding-place; but I did not care, so I walked out the window as if nothing had happened. The stars were shining brightly, and, as the night was so warm, I thought I would walk on a bit farther before finding a night's lodging. Like all good travellers, I had learned not to care much where I slept.
"The bats were swooping about on the watch for mosquitos and other insects; the owls hooted from the tree-tops, and the bull-frogs croaked duets across the marshes with each other; while beautiful moths fluttered on the still air, to enjoy themselves after sleeping all day.
"Seated before the door of his house was a relative of yours [addressing the Chairman], the Field-cricket, chirping briskly. I knew he was a fierce, combative sort of fellow; still I tried to be very polite, as I wanted to get a peep into his mansion.
"'I am glad to meet so clever a house-builder, as yourself,' I said, with a low bow.