And with a fluff of her feathers she pushed the egg into the middle of the nest . All through the next day she sat on , giving up even her morning bath for fear that a blast of cold might strike the big egg . In the evening , when she ventured to peep , she thought she saw a tiny crack in the upper part of the shell . Filled with hope , she went back to her duties , though she could hardly sleep all night for excitement . When she woke with the first steaks of light she felt something stirring under her . Yes , there it was at last ; and as she moved , a big awkward bird tumbled head foremost on the ground . There was no denying it was ugly , even the mother was forced to admit that to herself , though she only said it was ` large ' and ` strong . ' ` You wo n't need any teaching when you are once in the water , ' she told him , with a glance of surprise at the dull brown which covered his back , and at his long naked neck . And indeed he did not , though he was not half so pretty to look at as the little yellow balls that followed her . When they returned they found the old neighbour on the bank waiting for them to take them into the duckyard . ` No , it is not a young turkey , certainly , ' whispered she in confidence to the mother , ` for though it is lean and skinny , and has no colour to speak of , yet there is something rather distinguished about it , and it holds its head up well . ' ` It is very kind of you to say so , ' answered the mother , who by this time had some secret doubts of its loveliness . ` Of course , when you see it by itself it is all right , though it is different , somehow , from the others . But one can not expect all one 's children to be beautiful ! ' By this time they had reached the centre of the yard , where a very old duck was sitting , who was treated with great respect by all the fowls present . ` You must go up and bow low before her , ' whispered the mother to her children , nodding her head in the direction of the old lady , ` and keep your legs well apart , as you see me do . No well-bred duckling turns in its toes . It is a sign of common parents . ' The little ducks tried hard to make their small fat bodies copy the movements of their mother , and the old lady was quite pleased with them ; but the rest of the ducks looked on discontentedly , and said to each other : ` Oh , dear me , here are ever so many more ! The yard is full already ; and did you ever see anything quite as ugly as that great tall creature ?
He is a disgrace XXXXX any brood .
By as before for in of though to under with