id this so fiercely that Peter laughed right
out.

"I really believe you would," said he.

"I certainly would," she retorted. "Now I can't stop to talk to you,
Peter Rabbit, because I'm too busy. Mr. Wren, you ought to know that
that stick is too big." Jenny snatched it out of Mr. Wren's mouth
and dropped it on the ground, while Mr. Wren meekly went to hunt for
another. Jenny joined him, and as Peter watched them he understood why
Jenny is so often spoken of as a feathered busybody.

For some time Peter Rabbit watched Jenny and Mr. Wren carry sticks and
straws into that little hole until it seemed to him they were trying
to fill the whole inside of the tree. Just watching them made Peter
positively tired. Mr. Wren would stop every now and then to sing, but
Jenny didn't waste a minute. In spite of that she managed to talk just
the same.

"I suppose Little Friend the Song Sparrow got here some time ago," said
she.

Peter nodded. "Yes," said he. "I saw him only a day or two ago over by
the Laughing Brook, and although he wouldn't say so, I'm sure that he
has a nest and eggs already."

Jenny Wren jerked her tail and nodded her head vigorously. "I suppose
so," said she. "He doesn't have to make as long a journey as we do, so
he gets here sooner. Did you ever in your life see such a difference as
there is between Little Friend and his cousin, Bully? Everybody loves
Little Friend."

Once more Peter nodded. "That's right," said he. "Everybody does love
Little Friend. It makes me feel sort of all glad inside just to hear
him sing. I guess it makes everybody feel that way. I wonder why we so
seldom see him up here in the Old Orchard."

"Because he likes damp places with plenty of bushes better," replied
Jenny Wren. "It wouldn't do for everybody to like the same kind of
a place. He isn't a tree bird, anyway. He likes to be on or near the
ground. You will never find his nest much above the ground, not more
than a foot or two. Quite often it is on the ground. Of course I prefer
Mr. Wren's song, but I must admit that Little Friend has one of the
happiest songs of any one I know. Then, too, he is so modest, just like
us Wrens."

Peter turned his head aside to hide a smile, for if there is anybody
who delights in being both seen and heard it is Jenny Wren, while Little
Friend the Song Sparrow is shy and retiring, content to make all the
world glad with his song, but preferring to keep out of sight as much as
possible.

J