CHAPTER V.

HOME LIFE AND HOME EDUCATION.


The birdlings still live in the honeysuckles.

"How they do grow!" Eddie exclaims, when he looks at them. "I
shouldn't think they could ever have lived in those little eggs."

They are now almost half as large as the old birds. They are well
covered with feathers, and their mottled breasts are very pretty.

"They don't have to dress as we do," said Eddie. "Their clothes grow."
And he thinks it would be a great convenience if his clothes grew too,
for then they would always be large enough for him, and his mother
would not have so much sewing to do.

Sometimes these little birds lie in the bottom of the nest, quietly
sleeping, while their father and mother are both away, getting them
food. At other times they feel wide awake. Then they stretch their
wings, stand upon their feet, and peep over the side of the nest. From
the parlour-window, the children can look up directly at their
secluded home, and can see them amusing themselves and practising
their lessons. The honeysuckle grows almost as fast as the birds, and
the tender, overhanging branches make a roof which keeps off all the