was coming soon.

There were few things the children liked better than going into
Dorminster with the squire. Beside the pleasant rapid drive, perched up
on the high dog-cart, there was so much to see, particularly if it
happened to be market-day; and, above all, Mr Greenop lived there. Mr
Greenop was a bird-fancier, and kept an interesting shop in the
market-place, full of live birds and stuffed animals in glass cases.
There was always a pleasant uncertainty as to what might be found at
Greenop's, for he sometimes launched out in an unexpected manner. He
often had lop-eared rabbits to sell, and Jackie had once seen a monkey
there: as for pigeons, there was not a variety you could mention which
Greenop could not at once produce.

He was a nice little man, very like a bird himself, with pointed
features and kind, bright eyes; when he wore a dash of red in his
neck-cloth the resemblance to a robin was striking. The children
applied to him when any of their pets were ill, and had the utmost
confidence in his opinion and treatment. The most difficult cases were
successfully managed by him; he had even saved the life of Agatha's
jack-daw when it had swallowed a thimble. Mr Greenop was an object,
therefore, of gratitude and admiration, and no visit to Dorminster was
complete without going to his shop.

So when Jackie asked in an off-hand manner, "Shall you be going near
Greenop's, father?" the squire knew that his answer was waited for with
anxiety, and said at once:

"Yes, I'm going to the gunmaker's next door."

That was all right. Jackie screwed up his shoulders in an ecstasy.

"Father's always an immense long time at the gunmaker's," he said; "we
shall have time to look at all Greenop's things. I hope he's got some
new ones."

"And I want to buy some hemp-seed," said Mary.

Mr Greenop welcomed the children with his usual brisk cheerfulness, and
had, as Jackie had hoped, a good many new things to show them; the
nicest of all was a bullfinch which piped the tune of "Bonnie Dundee"
"at command," as his owner expressed it. The children were delighted
with it, and immediately asked the price, which was their custom with
every article of Mr Greenop's stock, and being told, proceeded to
examine further. They came upon a charming squirrel with the bushiest
tail possible, and while they were admiring it Mr Greenop was called to
attend on a customer.

"Jackie," said Mary suddenly, "if you might choose, what wou