er a while he took heart, and looked the disappointment boldly in
the face, which is always the better plan than brooding over it.

'It can't be helped,' he said wisely, rousing from his sorrowful
reflections, and giving his feathers a shake together. 'I did my best,
and could do no more. It is a loss certainly, but no doubt there are
other flower-seeds to be found, so I'll go to-morrow morning to that
same garden, and see if there are any more to be had. Dear me!' he
continued, glancing up with his now bright eyes at the sky; 'why, it is
getting late. I must make haste home, or else my friends will be
anxious, and fear that I have come to grief.'

So saying, he flew away, not without a note of farewell to the girl, who
had been looking at him all the time he sat there so disconsolately,
wondering in her own mind why he was perched there so ruffled and sad,
little dreaming of his kindly intentions towards her--how should
she?--so away he went, and reached his place of abode just as his
brothers and friends were going to roost.

You may be quite sure he was received with a perfect volley of
questions.

'Where have you been?' asked some who were ignorant of his scheme.

'How did you manage?' questioned others who knew.

'What sort of a place is it?' inquired several.

Poor little bird! he was obliged to confess his failure, which he did
with reluctance; yet still he bore his disappointment so cheerfully and
bravely, they could not help sympathizing with him, promising to help in
the good work next time. Even the Sparrow who had jeered somewhat at him
was really sorry, and consoled him so kindly, that he went to sleep with
his head tucked under his wing, in a far happier frame of mind than he
could have supposed possible, after such a grievous sorrow.

And the seed?

As it was being jostled on the top of the packing-case, it thought to
itself:

'There's an end to me, I suppose. I shall be shrivelled up to nothing
for want of nourishing earth, and shall do good to no one. What a pity
that dear little Sparrow's kind intention was frustrated by that
meddlesome and inquisitive bird! I am sure I would have done my duty to
the utmost, and realized his wish by growing as fast as possible, and
looking cheerful and gay when in flower. Well, well, it is no use being
unhappy; I must only wait patiently, hoping that a chance of doing good
may occur. Who knows what may happen?'

And at that very moment, the truck the man w