Who has done good , not harm , by what you call ` gossip ' ? Who has been a martyr , and patiently borne all kinds of blame , injustice , and disrespect ? Yes , indeed ! the man saw the sense of my words ; he took my advice ; he will show his gratitude by some good turn yet ; and , if half a dozen poor souls are helped , it will be my doing , and mine alone . '' Here she had to stop for breath ; and her neighbors all looked at one another , feeling undecided whether to own they were wrong , or to put Mrs. Wing down . Every one twittered and chirped , and made a great noise ; but no one would give up , and all went to roost in a great state of uncertainty . But , the next day , it became evident that Mrs. Wing was right ; for Major Bumble-bee came buzzing in to tell them that old Daddy Winter 's hut was empty , and his white head had been seen in the sunny porch of the great house . After this the swallows gave in ; and , as no harm came to them , they had a jubilee in honor of the occasion . Mrs. Wing was president , and received a vote of thanks for the good she had done , and the credit she had bestowed upon the town by her wisdom and courage . She was much elated by all this ; but her fright had been of service , and she bore her honors more meekly than one would have supposed . 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 XXXXX , 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 .
Bumble-bee Sooty-back Wing crumbs day jubilee left peace right summer