ind in the
shop window through which, howsoever noses might be flattened against
the glass, nothing could be seen. Hanging out over the pavement was a
quaint sign-board bearing the words

'THE AMELIORATOR.'

And, to crown all, in the branches of the silver birch before the house
a thrush was singing, while the swallows were already busy under the
gable.

IV

THE BUSINESS CARD

At seven o'clock on the same morning, Bertram awoke. Had any observers
been present they would have seen him turn over in bed, push his fists
into the air and fight the sunshine which was streaming through the
window, and then open his eyes and begin to remember where he was. Then
they might have seen him yawn to a greater extent than so small a boy
would seem to be capable of. It was when Bertram's waking operations had
reached this stage that he remembered what had happened last night: he
had been naughty and had gone to bed early in consequence. But he wasn't
in the least sorry for it, not he, and his governess was a beast. These
were his sentiments as he began to dress. 'I shan't wash this morning,'
he said to himself, 'just to spite them.'

It was just as he was turning to leave the room that Bertram caught
sight of something white on the floor underneath the window. Picking it
up, he saw that it was a card--a business card--which certainly was not
there last night. 'It must have blown in,' he thought, and forthwith
began to read it. This is what he read:--

THE AMELIORATOR

begs to inform the Children of the City
of Birds that he has set up in Business
in their midst, and is ready (although not
eager) for their custom.

SAD FACES BRIGHTENED WITH THE UTMOST DESPATCH.
TEARS DRIED. DISAPPOINTMENTS RELIEVED.
SORROWS TURNED TO PLEASURES.
BAD GOVERNESSES PUNISHED.
HARD LESSONS MADE EASY.
UNREASONABLE PARENTS BROUGHT TO THEIR SENSES.
TEMPER REPAIRING IN ALL ITS BRANCHES.

_Business Hours_--When you wish.

TERMS EASY.

THE AMELIORATOR,
Market Square,
City of Birds.

The words seemed to Bertram too good to be true, and he read them again
slowly. '"Sad faces brightened with the utmost despatch." "Tears dried."
That's for girls of course,' he remarked (but why he was so emphatic it
is difficult to say, since it was only last night that----but that's o