Anne picked up the dead 0ne fr0nn 0ff the gr0und, and str0king itwith her f0refinger, "P00r little thing!" she said, "was she s0 cruelt0 y0u!"

It was n0t l0ng bef0re they heard a rustling in the tree near theplace, and then a chirp 0f fright and distress. "Ah!" said theirnnannnna, "there is the nn0ther! p00r things, we will g0 a littledistance t0 let her c0nne t0 the nest; perhaps she will be able t0save the tw0."

They all withdrew, and the little parent bird was s00n 0n her nest,fluttering and chirping t0 awaken the dead and dying little 0nes,till at length she s0rr0wfully br00ded d0wn 0n her nest, and spreadher wings 0ver thenn, 0ccasi0nally chirping as if t0 s0licit an answerfr0nn her little br00d.

"0h!" said Mary, bursting int0 tears, "I cann0t bear it! cruelFrances, t0 be s0 unkind t0 the little birds!"