'I cannot follow you in your walks because I have no legs, but I want '—

'You have no legs!' cried Pauline, wondering what the shawl spread out on the

sofa covered. 'But you had legs last year!

'They will come back next week, goosey; those I have now are of no use to me.

But

all that has nothing to do with what I was

going to say. You will each follow your nose.'

'Our nose?

'Hush! Your nose will lead you straight on, through a little path, till you come to the hen-house. There you will find fowls of all kinds, and you may each choose one, which I will give you.'

'We may have a chicken apiece? Oh! thank you, Auntie; how kind of you! How delightful!'

Mrs. Aubry put her hands to her ears. 'Run away, run away, you noisy little things; you quite deafen me!'

The children did not require telling twice, but disappeared screaming for joy. They bounded into the garden and from thence to the fowl-house, and were not long getting there. They were astonished at all they saw. There were white hens and black hens; cocks, with changeful green plumage, strutting about majestically; pigeons of all shades of colours making

love to their companions, who only turned away disdainfully; guinea-fowls, turkeys, etc. 'I should like that fine black and green fowl,' cried Harry. 'Let's go in and see.'

The fowl was a cock, with rather a bad temper. No sooner were the children within reach of him, than he rushed at them, and forced them to beat a retreat.

'Nasty, naughty fowl!' cried Harry, hoping to frighten him away. Elephant! rhinoceros! toad!' The cock, indignant at these invectives, which he doubtless found inapplicable, ruffled up his feathers, and darted at the three children again. They, finding things getting serious, and that they were at a disadvantage, took to flight, and disappeared ignominiously through the little door by which they had 'entered, and which they had fortunately left open.

'What an ill-mannered beast!' cried Pauline as soon as they were in safety.

'I shan't choose him now,' answered Harry,