ted for the purpose
than mine. Set about it at once!" it said sharply.

In an instant Dot did what the bird directed, and thrust her little
hands into the soft grass roots and moss, out of which water pressed,
as if from a sponge. She had soon made a little hole, and the most
beautiful clear water welled up into it at once. Then, in the hollows of
her little hands, she collected it, and dashed it over the Kangaroo's
parched tongue, and, further instructed by the kindly though rude little
bird, she had soon well wetted the suffering animal's fur. Gradually the
breathing of the Kangaroo became less of an effort, her tongue moistened
and returned to the mouth, and at last Dot saw with joy the brown eyes
open, and she knew that her good friend was not going to die, but would
get well again.

Whilst all this took place, the little brown bird stood on one leg, with
its head cocked on one side, watching the exhausted Kangaroo's recovery
with a comic expression of curiosity and conceit. When it spoke to Dot,
it did so without any attempt at being polite, and Dot thought it the
strangest possible creature, because it was really very kind in helping
her to save the Kangaroo's life, and yet it seemed to delight in
spoiling its kindheartedness by its rudeness. Afterwards the Kangaroo
told her that the little Bittern is a really tender-hearted fellow, but
he has an idea that kindness in rather small creatures provokes the
contempt of the big ones. As he always wants to be thought a bigger bird
than he is, he pretends to be hard-hearted by being rough; consequently,
nearly all the Bush creatures simply regard him as a rude little bird,
because bad manners are no proof of being grown-up; rather the contrary.

"How do you feel now?" asked the Bittern, as the Kangaroo presently
struggled up and squatted rather feebly on her haunches, looking about
in a somewhat dazed way.

"I'm better now," said the Kangaroo, "but, dear me! how everything seems
to dance up and down!" She shut her eyes, for she felt giddy.

"That was rather a good jump of yours," said the Bittern, patronizingly,
as if jumps for life like that of Dot's Kangaroo were made every day,
and he was a judge of them!

"Ah! I remember!" said the Kangaroo, opening her eyes again and looking
round. "Where is Dot?"

"Umph! that silly!" exclaimed the Bittern, as Dot came forward, and she
and the Kangaroo rejoiced over each other's safety. "Much good she'd
have been to you with