mr. grouse's eyes twinkled, but he went gravely on. "at last i flapped my wing's hard and fast, and the soft drumming sound could be heard far and near. 'thump-thump-thump-thump-thump; thump-thump-rup-rup-rup-rup-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r.' i waited, but nobody came. then i drummed again, and after that i was sure that i heard a rustling in the leaves. i drummed a third time, and then, children, there came the beautiful young grouse, breaking her way through the thicket and trying to look as though she didn't know that i was there."