inutes after, there came a great set of sparrows, and a
robin-redbreast, and two of them began to fight. And this made Henry
laugh; and, on the whole, they so occupied him all day, he was less
unhappy than the day before: and, when night came, he lay down near
the nest of the owl and her young ones, and slept soundly.

Next day, faithful Fidelle again appeared with a piece of boiled beef
in her mouth, which having left at Henry's feet, she scampered off,
and Henry ate heartily, and gave some to the owls. And when he could
forget his mamma, which indeed was not often, these birds used to
amuse his little mind. But, towards evening, getting very thirsty, he
again began to cry, and to call for mamma; and God, who watches over
little infants just the same as if they were grown men, put it into
his little heart to walk outside the abbey, where was a nice stream
running through the grass: and the baby, recollecting he had seen a
boy, the week before, lying on the ground drinking out of a stream
near papa's house, knelt down and took a hearty drink of the clear
water.

[Illustration: ]

And now, near a week passed over, Fidelle constantly
bringing a supply of food, and the owls, and the sparrows, and the
robin, sharing the welcome morsel, and affording Henry's little mind
constant amusement and occupation. At length, the little birds began
not to be afraid of Henry; and they would come and hop by his side,
and pick up the crumbs, and almost eat from his hand. And one of them
built its nest close to him, and laid two eggs, and every evening
would sing such a sweet song, that really the baby began to get
reconciled, and used to feel like a little king among them all. And now
we must leave our mighty _monarch_ for a while, and return to his
disconsolate parents.

[Illustration: ]

The evening Bill Boldface had met him, and sent him so cruelly into
the wood, mamma was out walking, and on her return enquired for the
baby.

"O," said papa, "he is safe: I saw him in nurse's arms a few minutes
ago."

Mamma immediately went up to the nursery, and there heard that nurse
had gone off to see her sister, who lived about two miles distant,
"and, of course," said the nursery-maid, "she has taken Master Henry
with her."

Impressed with this idea, mamma returned to tea; but when night came,
she began to get very uneasy, for nurse did not return. "O," said
papa, "you know she often remains at her sister's; and though she has
done v