In the Duck Yard

"The 'Peep' slipped off my beak before I knew it."

The Portuguese didn't listen to him, but began gobbling as fast as she could, until she had made a good meal. When she had finished, she lay down again, and the little Bird came up and tried to please her by singing:

Tillee-lilly-lee,

Of your heart with glee

I shall sing with love

When I fly above!

"I need to rest after my meal," said the Portuguese. "While you're here you must follow the house rules. I want to take a nap now."

The little Songbird was quite bewildered, for he had only tried to please her. When she awoke later he stood before her with a grain of corn he had found and laid it in front of her; but as she hadn't slept well she was in a very bad humor.

"You can give that to a chicken!" she said. "And don't stand and hang over me!"

"Why are you angry with me?" he asked. "What have I done?"

"Done?" said the Portuguese. "Your manner of expression isn't very refined; I must call your attention to that."

"Yesterday it was all sunshine here," said the little Bird. "But today it's dark and cloudy. It makes me very sad."

"You don't know much about weather, I guess," said the Portuguese. "The day isn't over yet. Don't just stand there looking stupid."

"But you're looking at me just as those two wicked eyes did when I fell into the yard!"

"Impudent!" said the Portuguese. "Comparing me with the cat - a beast of prey! There's not a drop of wicked blood in me! I've stood up for you, and I'll have to teach you good manners." And with that she bit off the Songbird's head, and he lay there dead.

"Now what does this mean?" she said. "Couldn't he even stand that? Then he certainly wasn't intended for this world. I know I've been like a mother to him, because I have such a good heart."

And then the neighbor's Cock stuck his head into the yard and crowed like a steam engine.

"Your crowing will kill me!" she cried. "It's all your fault! He's lost his head, and I've nearly lost mine."

"There isn't much left of him," said the Cock.