standing behind the laurel bushes I could see nothing but his back.

He stood up again, looking angry and flushed.

"What have you done with the house? Can't I turn my back a minute--"

"I ain't done nothing with it. As I keep on telling you, I had only
just gone--"

"Oh, bother where you had gone. Where's the darned house gone?
that's what I want to know."

They looked at one another. If ever astonishment was expressed in
the attitude of a bird it was told by the tails of those two
sparrows. They whispered wickedly together. The idea occurred to
them that by force or cunning they might perhaps obtain possession of
one of the other nests. But all the other nests were occupied, and
even gentle Jenny Swallow, once in her own home with the children
round about her, is not to be trifled with. Mr. Sparrow called at
number two, put his head in at the door, and then returned to the
waterspout.

"Lady says we don't live there," he explained to Mrs. Sparrow. There
was silence for a while.

"Not what I call a classy street," commented Mrs. Sparrow.

"If it were not for that terrible tired feeling of mine," said Mr.
Sparrow, "blame if I wouldn't build a house of my own."