of a tall pine-tree where he could see all that happened, and he had
chuckled wickedly as he had seen Farmer Brown's boy climb to Hooty's
nest and take out an egg. He felt sure that he would take both
eggs. He hoped so, anyway.

When he saw Farmer Brown's boy put the eggs back and climb down the
tree without any, he had to blink his eyes to make sure that he saw
straight. He just couldn't believe what he saw. At first he was
dreadfully disappointed and angry. It looked very much as if he
weren't going to get even with Hooty after all. He flew over to his
favorite tree to think things over. Now sometimes it is a good thing
to sit by oneself and think things over. It gives the little small
voice deep down inside a chance to be heard. It was just that way
with Blacky now.

The longer he thought, the meaner his action in calling Farmer
Brown's boy looked. It was one thing to try to steal those eggs
himself, but it was quite another matter to try to have them stolen
by some one against whom Hooty had no protection whatever.

"If it had been any one but Hooty, you would have done your best to
have kept Farmer Brown's boy away, " said the little voice
inside. Blacky hung his head. He knew that it was true. More than
once, in fact many times, he had warned other feathered folks when
Farmer Brown's boy had been hunting for their nests, and had helped
to lead him away.

At last Blacky threw up his head and chuckled, and this time his
chuckle was good to hear. "I'm glad that Farmer Brown's boy didn't
take those eggs, " said he right out loud. "Yes, sir, I'm glad. I'll