eat, and busied himself for their comfort in

many ways, and the bright-eyed sparrow looked very happy; but when twilight came on the sparrow became a little restless and nervous, as if he had something on his mind. Mrs. Polly's shrewd eyes noticed all this, and she said to herself,—

"It's just as I thought; but I did think he'd have sense enough to stay at home the first night. It's much worse than I thought."

"Good-night, my dear," said the sparrow, coming up to his bright-eyed wife and giving her a hasty kiss; "I'll be in as early as I can."

"You don't mean to say you're going to leave me the very first night after we've been separated so long, and in a strange place too?" said the bright-eyed sparrow indignantly.

"Only for a short time, my dear. It's an engagement I made some time ago.