the ground. Then she flew away home,
wishing she had not come.

As soon as she was gone Mr. Crane began to think, and he said to
himself, "What a fool I was to be so short with Miss Heron! It's dull
living alone. Since she wants it, I will marry her." And he flew off
after Miss Heron. He came to her hut, and told her,--

"Miss Heron, I have thought things over. I have decided to marry you."

"Mr. Crane," said Miss Heron, "I, too, have thought things over. I
would not marry you, not for ten thousand young frogs."

Off flew Mr. Crane.

As soon as he was gone Miss Heron thought, "Why didn't I agree to
marry Mr. Crane? It's dull alone. I will go at once and tell him I
have changed my mind."

She flew off to betroth herself; but Mr. Crane would have none of her,
and she flew back again.

And so they go on to this day--first one and then the other flying
across the marsh with an offer of marriage, and flying back with
shame. They have never married, and never will.

* * * * *

"Grandfather," whispered Maroosia, tugging at old Peter's sleeve,
"Vanya is asleep."

They drove on through the forest silently, except for the creaking of
the cart and the loud singing of the nightingales in the tops of the
tall firs. They came at last to their hut.

"Ah!" said old Peter, as he lifted them out, first one and then the
other; "it isn't only Vanya who's asleep." And he carried them in, and
put them to bed without waking them.

THE END.

End of Project Gutenberg's Old Peter's Russian Tales, by Arthur Ransome

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