"Has he?" said Mrs. Ben-son. "Yes," said Har-ri-et, "and, if you wish, we shall be glad to go with Joe to see it." "But how are you to get at it, for it must be at some height from the ground?” 66 Oh, I can climb the steps," said Fred. "You climb! You think you are a brave boy, I know; but do you say you will mount too, Har-ri-et? I think this is not a fit thing for a girl to do." "Joe tells me that the nest is but a small way from the ground, Ma," said Har-ri-et; "but if I find it not so, you may be sure I will not go up." "If so, you may go," said Mrs. Benson; 'but pray, Mr. Fred, let one ask you not to fright your friends the birds." 66 Not for all the world," said he; so off he flew, and ran to Joe before Har-ri-et. "We may go! we may go, Joe!” cried he. Stay for me, Joe, I beg," said Harriet, who then went with him. CHAP-TER VII. As soon as Joe found that Fred and Har-ri-et had got leave to go with him, he took the first by the hand, and said, Come along, my young sir." Fred's haste was so great that he could scarce be kept from a run all the way, but Har-ri-et said he must not get too hot. At length they come to the spot; Joe put the steps to the wall, and Fred, with some help, got up them quite quick, but who can tell his joy when he saw the young birds. "Oh, the sweet dears," cries he, "there are four of them! I have not seen such a sight in my life! I wish I might take you all home?" "That you must not do, Fred," said Harriet, “and I beg you will come from the nest, for you will kill the young birds through fear, or drive away the old ones, which are near at hand to feed them." "Well, I will come," said Fred, “and so good-bye, dear birds! I hope you will come soon with your Pa and Ma to be fed in the room." He then, with the help of his friend Joe, got down. Joe next spoke to Har-ri-et. "Now, Miss, will you go up?' As the steps were broad, and the nest was not high, Miss Benson went up, and her joy was as great as that of Fred; but she had such a fear lest she might fright the young birds |