He may destroy my nest , and take my life ; but I feel that I have done my duty , and shall meet affliction with a firmness which will be an example to that indolent , ungrateful man . '' In spite of her boasted firmness , Mrs. Wing dropped her voice , and peeped over the beam , to be sure the man was gone before she called him names ; and then flew away , to discover what he meant to do about it . For several days , there was much excitement in Twittertown ; for news of what had happened flew from nest to nest , and every bird was anxious to know what revenge the man would take for the impertinent remarks which had been made about him . Mrs. Wing was in a dreadful state of mind , expecting an assault , and the destruction of her entire family . Every one blamed her . Her husband lectured ; the young birds chirped , `` Chatterbox , chatterbox , '' as she passed ; and her best friends were a little cool . All this made her very meek for a time ; and she scarcely opened her bill , except to eat . 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 XXXXX 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 .
Sooty-back Twittertown Wing assault chatterbox chimney-swallow fire first fro ridgepole