"Oh nothing, Cousin, nothing at all," replied Blacky. "I was just
talking foolishness to myself." Sammy looked at him sharply. "You
aren't feeling sick, are you, Cousin Blacky?" he asked. "Must be
something the matter with you when you begin talking about new-laid
eggs, when everything's covered with snow and ice. Foolishness is
no name for it. Whoever heard of such a thing as a new-laid egg this
time of year"

"Nobody, I guess, " replied Blacky. "I told you I was just talking
foolishness. You see, I'm so hungry that I just got to thinking what
I'd have if I could have anything I wanted. That made me think of
eggs, and I tried to think just how I would feel if I should
suddenly see a great big egg right in front of me. I guess I must
have said something about it."

"I guess you must have. It isn't egg time yet, and it won't be for a
long time. Take my advice and just forget about impossible
things. I'm going over to Farmer Brown's corncrib. Corn may not be
as good as eggs, but it is very good and very filling. Better come
along, " said Sammy.

"Not this morning, thank you. Some other time, perhaps, " replied Blacky.

He watched Sammy disappear through the trees. Then he flew to the
top of the tallest pine-tree to make sure that no one was
about. When he was quite sure that no one was watching him, he
spread his wings and headed for the most lonesome corner of the
Green Forest.

"I'm foolish. I know I'm foolish, " he muttered. "But I've just got