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refused by all the other hens； Cornelia generally accepts it； though she had
twelve of her own when we began using her as an orphan asylum。
〃Wings are made to stretch；〃 she seems to say cheerfully； and with a kind
glance of her round eye she welcomes the wanderer and the outcast。 She
even tended for a time the offspring of an absent…minded； light…headed
pheasant who flew over a four…foot wall and left her young behind her to
starve； it was not a New Pheasant； either； for the most conservative and
old… fashioned of her tribe occasionally commits domestic solecisms of
this sort。
There is no telling when； where； or how the maternal instinct will
assert itself。 Among our Thornycroft cats is a certain Mrs。 Greyskin。
She had not been seen for many days； and Mrs。 Heaven concluded that she
had hidden herself somewhere with a family of kittens； but as the supply
of that article with us more than equals the demand； we had not searched
for her with especial zeal。
The other day Mrs。 Greyskin appeared at the dairy door； and when she
had been fed Phoebe and I followed her stealthily； from a distance。 She
walked slowly about as if her mind were quite free from harassing care；
and finally approached a deserted cow…house where there was a great
mound of straw。 At this moment she caught sight of us and turned in
another direction to throw us off the scent。 We persevered in our
intention of going into her probable retreat； and were cautiously looking
for some sign of life in the haymow； when we heard a soft cackle and a
ruffling of plumage。 Coming closer to the sound we saw a black hen
brooding a nest； her bright bead eyes turning nervously from side to side；
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The Diary of a Goose Girl
and； coaxed out from her protecting wings by youthful curiosity； came
four kittens； eyes wide open； warm； happy； ready for sport！
The sight was irresistible； and Phoebe ran for Mr。 and Mrs。 Heaven
and the Square Baby。 Mother Hen was not to be embarrassed or daunted；
even if her most sacred feelings were regarded in the light of a cheap
entertainment。 She held her ground while one of the kits slid up and
down her glossy back； and two others； more timid； crept underneath her
breast； only daring to put out their pink noses！ We retired then for very
shame and met Mrs。 Greyskin in the doorway。 This should have
thickened the plot； but there is apparently no rivalry nor animosity
between the co…mothers。 We watch them every day now； through a
window in the roof。 Mother Greyskin visits the kittens frequently； lies
down beside the home nest； and gives them their dinner。 While this is
going on Mother Blackwing goes modestly away for a bite； a sup； and a
little exercise； returning to the kittens when the cat leaves them。 It is
pretty to see her settle down over the four； fat； furry dumplings； and they
seem to know no difference in warmth or comfort； whichever mother is
brooding them； while； as their eyes have been open for a week； it can no
longer be called a blind error on their part。
When we have closed all our small hen…nurseries for the night； there is
still the large house inhabited by the thirty…two full… grown chickens which
Phoebe calls the broilers。 I cannot endure the term； and will not use it。
〃Now for the April chicks；〃 I say every evening。
〃Do you mean the broilers？〃 asks Phoebe。
〃I mean the big April chicks；〃 say I。
〃Yes； them are the broilers；〃 says she。
But is it not disagreeable enough to be a broiler when one's time comes；
without having the gridiron waved in one's face for weeks beforehand？
The April chicks are all lively and desirous of seeing the world as
thoroughly as possible before going to roost or broil。 As a general thing；
we find in the large house sixteen young fowls of the contemplative；
flavourless； resigned…to…the…inevitable variety； three more （the same three
every night） perch on the roof and are driven down； four （always the same
four） cling to the edge of the open door； waiting to fly off； but not in； when
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The Diary of a Goose Girl
you attempt to close it； nine huddle together on a place in the grass about
forty feet distant； where a small coop formerly stood in the prehistoric
ages。 This small coop was one in which they lodged for a fortnight when
they were younger； and when those absolutely indelible impressions are
formed of which we read in educational maxims。 It was taken away long
since； but the nine loyal （or stupid） Casabiancas cling to the sacred spot
where its foundations rested； they accordingly have to be caught and
deposited bodily in the house； and this requires strategy； as they note our
approach from a considerable distance。
Finally all are housed but two； the little white cock and the black pullet；
who are still impish and of a wandering mind。 Though headed off in
every direction； they fly into the hedges and hide in the underbrush。 We
beat the hedge on the other side； but with no avail。 We dive into the
thicket of wild roses； sweetbrier； and thistles on our hands and knees；
coming out with tangled hair； scratched noses； and no hens。 Then； when
all has been done that human ingenuity can suggest； Phoebe goes to her
late supper and I do sentry…work。 I stroll to a safe distance； and； sitting
on one of the rat…proof boxes； watch the bushes with an eagle eye。 Five
minutes go by； ten； fifteen； and then out steps the white cock； stealthily
tiptoeing toward the home into which he refused to go at our instigation。
In a moment out creeps the obstinate little beast of a black pullet from the
opposite clump。 The wayward pair meet at their own door； which I have
left open a few inches。 When all is still I walk gently down the field； and；
warned by previous experiences； approach the house from behind。 I
draw the door to softly and quickly； but not so quickly that the evil…
minded and suspicious black pullet hasn't time to spring out； with a make…
believe squawk of frightthat induces three other blameless chickens to
fly down from their perches and set the whole flock in a flutter。 Then I
fall from grace and call her a Broiler； and when； after some minutes of hot
pursuit； I catch her by falling over her in the corner by the goose…pen； I
address her as a fat； juicy Broiler with parsley butter and a bit of bacon。
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The Diary of a Goose Girl
CHAPTER V
July 10th。
At ten thirty or so in the morning the cackling begins。 I wonder
exactly what it means！ Have the forest…lovers who listen so respectfully
to； and interpre