The wife said no more ; and in truth her heart yearned over the little creatures . Somehow or other food was never lacking in the hut , and the children grew up and were so good and gentle that , in time , their foster-parents loved them as well or better than their own , who were quarrelsome and envious . It did not take the orphans long to notice that the boys did not like them , and were always playing tricks on them , so they used to go away by themselves and spend whole hours by the banks of the river . Here they would take out the bits of bread they had saved from their breakfasts and crumble them for the birds . In return , the birds taught them many things : how to get up early in the morning , how to sing , and how to talk their language , which very few people know . But though the little orphans did their best to avoid quarrelling with their foster-brothers , it was very difficult always to keep the peace . Matters got worse and worse till , one morning , the eldest boy said to the twins : ` It is all very well for you to pretend that you have such good manners , and are so much better than we , but we have at least a father and mother , while you have only got the river , like the toads and the frogs . ' The poor children did not answer the insult ; but it made them very unhappy . And they told each other in whispers that they could not stay there any longer , but must go into the world and seek their fortunes . So next day they arose as early as the birds and stole downstairs without anybody hearing them . One window was open , and they crept softly out and ran to the side of the river . Then , feeling as if they had found a friend , they walked along its banks , hoping that by-and-by they should meet some one to take care of them . The whole of that day they went steadily on without seeing a living creature , till , in the evening , weary and footsore , they saw before them a small hut . This raised their spirits for a moment ; but the door was shut , and the hut seemed empty , and so great was their disappointment that they almost cried . However , the boy fought down his tears , and said cheerfully : ` Well , at any rate here is a bench where we can sit down , and when we are rested we will think what is best to do next . ' Then they sat down , and for some time they were too tired even to notice anything ; but by-and-by they saw that under the tiles of the roof a number of swallows were sitting , chattering merrily to each other . Of course the swallows had no idea that the children understood their language , or they would not have talked so freely ; but , as it was , they said whatever came into their heads . ` Good evening , my fine city madam , ' remarked a swallow , whose manners were rather rough and countryfied to another who looked particularly distinguished . ` Happy , indeed , are the eyes that behold you ! Only think of your having returned to your long-forgotten country friends , after you have lived for years in a palace ! ' '
I have inherited this nest from my parents , ' replied the other , ` and as they left it XXXXX me I certainly shall make it my home .
In Of after as for into over than that to