To be sure , she cut Mrs. Sooty-back when they met ; assumed an injured air , when some of her neighbors passed her ; and said , `` I told you so , '' a dozen times a day to her husband , who got so many curtain lectures that he took to sleeping on the highest rafter , pretending that the children 's noise disturbed him . All sorts of charming things happened after that , and such a fine summer never was known before ; for not only did the birds rejoice , but people also . A good spirit seemed to haunt the town , leaving help and happiness wherever it passed . Some unseen hand scattered crumbs over the barn floor , and left food at many doors . No dog or boy or gun marred the tranquillity of the birds , insects , and flowers who lived on the great estate . No want , care , or suffering , that love or money could prevent , befell the poor folk whose cottages stood near the old house . Sunshine and peace seemed to reign there ; for its gloomy master was a changed man now , and the happiness he earned for himself , by giving it to others , flowed out in beautiful , blithe songs , and went singing away into the world , making him friends , and bringing him honor in high places as well as low . He did not forget the wife and little child whom he had loved so well ; but he mourned no longer , for cheerful daisies grew above their graves , and he knew that he should meet them in the lovely land where death can never come . So , while he waited for that happy time to come , he made his life a cheery song , -- as every one may do , if they will ; and went about dropping kind words and deeds as silently and sweetly as the sky drops sunshine and dew . Every one was his friend , but his favorites were the swallows . Every day he went to see them , carrying grain and crumbs , hearing their chat , sharing their joys and sorrows , and never tiring of their small friendship ; for to them , he thought , he owed all the content now his . When autumn leaves were red , and autumn winds blew cold , the inhabitants of Twittertown prepared for their journey to the South . They lingered longer than usual this year , feeling sorry to leave their friend . But the fields were bare , the frosts began to pinch , and the young ones longed to see the world ; so they must go . The day they started , the whole flock flew to the great house , to say good-by . Some dived and darted round and round it , some hopped to and fro on the sere lawn , some perched on the chimney-tops , and some clung to the window ledges ; all twittering a loving farewell . Chirp , Dart , and Wing peeped everywhere , and everywhere found something to rejoice over . In a cosey room , by a bright fire , sat Daddy Winter and Nell 's old father , telling stories of their youth , and basking in the comfortable warmth . In the study , surrounded by the books he loved , was the poor young man , happy as a king now , and learning many things which no book could teach him ; for he had found a friend . Then , down below was Will 's mother , working like a bee ; for she was housekeeper , and enjoyed her tasks as much as any mother-bird enjoys filling the little mouths of her brood .
Close by was pretty XXXXX , prettier than ever now ; for her heavy care was gone , and she sung as she sewed , thinking of the old father , whom nothing could trouble any more .
Chirp Dart Nell Sooty-back cosey day fire fro left mother-bird