` Keep it , to be sure ! ' replied the old woman briskly . ` It is all nonsense about it not laying eggs . Anyway , we will let it stay here for a bit , and see what happens . ' So the duckling remained for three weeks , and shared the food of the cat and the hen ; but nothing in the way of eggs happened at all . Then the sun came out , and the air grew soft , and the duckling grew tired of being in a hut , and wanted with all his might to have a swim . And one morning he got so restless that even his friends noticed it . ` What is the matter ? ' asked the hen ; and the duckling told her . ' I am so longing for the water again . You ca n't think how delicious it is to put your head under the water and dive straight to the bottom . ' ' I do n't think I should enjoy it , ' replied the hen doubtfully . ` And I do n't think the cat would like it either . ' And the cat , when asked , agreed there was nothing she would hate so much . ' I ca n't stay here any longer , I Must get to the water , ' repeated the duck . And the cat and the hen , who felt hurt and offended , answered shortly : ` Very well then , go . ' The duckling would have liked to say good-bye , and thank them for their kindness , as he was polite by nature ; but they had both turned their backs on him , so he went out of the rickety door feeling rather sad . But , in spite of himself , he could not help a thrill of joy when he was out in the air and water once more , and cared little for the rude glances of the creatures he met . For a while he was quite happy and content ; but soon the winter came on , and snow began to fall , and everything to grow very wet and uncomfortable . And the duckling soon found that it is one thing to enjoy being in the water , and quite another to like being damp on land .
The sun was setting one day , like a great scarlet globe , and the river , to the duckling 's vast bewilderment , was getting hard and slippery , when he heard a sound of whirring wings , and high up XXXXX the air a flock of swans were flying .
For about as by in of on that to while