"I didn't promise anybody but myself, " declared Farmer Brown's boy
right out loud. At the sound of his voice, Hooty and Mrs. Hooty,
sitting in the next tree, snapped their bills and hissed louder than
ever.

"A promise to yourself ought to be just as good as a promise to any
one else. I don't wonder Hooty hisses at you, " said the good little
voice.

"Think how fine those eggs will look in your collection and how
proud you will be to show them to the other fellows who never have
found a nest of Hooty's, " said the first little voice.

"And think how mean and small and cheap you'll feel every time you
look at them, " added the good little voice. "You'll get a lot more
fun if you leave them to hatch out and then watch the little Owls
grow up and learn all about their ways. Just think what a stout,
brave fellow Hooty is to start housekeeping at this time of year,
and how wonderful it is that Mrs. Hooty can keep these eggs warm and
when they have hatched take care of the baby Owls before others have
even begun to build their nests. Besides, wrong is wrong and right
is right, always."

Slowly Farmer Brown's boy reached over the edge of the nest and put
back the egg. Then he began to climb down the tree. When he reached
the ground he went off a little way and watched. Almost at once
Mrs. Hooty flew to the nest and settled down on the eggs, while
Hooty mounted guard close by.

"I'm glad I didn't take 'em, " said Farmer Brown's boy. "Yes, Sir,