A guard was set day and night , to see if any danger approached ; and a row of swallows might be seen on the ridgepole at all hours . If any one entered the barn , dozens of little black heads peeped cautiously over the edges of the nests , and there was much flying to and fro with reports and rumors ; for all the birds in the town soon knew that something had happened . The day after the imprudent conversation , a chimney-swallow came to call on Mrs. Wing ; and , the moment she was seated on the beam , she began : `` My dear creature , I feel for you in your trying position , -- indeed I do , and came over at once to warn you of your danger . '' `` Mercy on us ! what is coming ? '' cried Mrs. Wing , covering her brood with trembling wings , and looking quite wild with alarm . `` Be calm , my friend , and bear with firmness the consequences of your folly , '' replied Mrs. Sooty-back , who did n't like Mrs. Wing , because she prided herself on her family , and rather looked down on chimney-swallows . `` You know , ma'am , I live at the great house , and am in the way of seeing and hearing all that goes on there . No fire is lighted in the study now ; but my landlord still sits on the hearth , and I can overhear every word he says . Last evening , after my darlings were asleep , and my husband gone out , I went down and sat on the andiron , as I often do ; for the fireplace is full of oak boughs , and I can peep out unseen . My landlord sat there , looking a trifle more cheerful than usual , and I heard him say , in a very decided tone : '' ` I 'll catch them , one and all , and keep them here ; that is better than pulling the place down , as I planned at first . Those swallows little know what they have done ; but I 'll show them I do n't forget . ' '' On hearing this a general wail arose , and Mrs. Wing fainted entirely away . Madam Sooty-back was quite satisfied with the effect she had produced , and departed , saying loftily : `` I 'm sorry for you , Mrs. Wing , and forgive your rude speech about my being related to chimney-sweeps . One ca n't expect good manners from persons brought up in mud houses , and entirely shut out from good society . If I hear any thing more , I 'll let you know . '' Away she flew ; and poor Mrs. Wing would have had another fit , if they had n't tickled her with a feather , and fanned her so violently that she was nearly blown off her nest by the breeze they raised . `` What shall we do ? '' she cried . `` Nothing , but wait .
I dare say , Mrs. XXXXX is mistaken ; at any rate , we ca n't get away without leaving our children , for they ca n't fly yet .
Sooty-back chimney-swallow chimney-swallows chimney-sweeps darlings fire first fro night ridgepole