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and crowded away from the dish。 Sir Muscovy rose to his feet； a few
rapid words seemed to pass between him and his mate； and then he fell
upon the other drake and the heartless minions who had persecuted the
helpless one； drove them far away out of sight； and； returning； went to the
corner where the victim was cowering； her face to the wall。 He seemed
to whisper to her； or in some way to convey to her a sense of protection；
for after a few moments she tremblingly went with him to the dish； and
hurriedly ate her dinner while he stood by； repulsing the advances of the
few brown ducks who remained near and seemed inclined to attack her。
When she had eaten enough Lady Blanche joined them； and they went
down the hill together to their favourite swimming…place。 After that Miss
Crippletoes always followed a little behind her protectors； and thus
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The Diary of a Goose Girl
shielded and fed she grew stronger and well… feathered； though she was
always smaller than she should have been and had a lowly manner；
keeping a few steps in the rear of her superiors and sitting at some distance
from their noon resting… place。
Phoebe noticed after a while that Lady Blanche was seldom to be seen；
and Sir Muscovy and Miss Crippletoes often came to their meals without
her。 The would…be mother refused to inhabit the house Phoebe had given
her； and for a long time the place she had chosen for her sitting could not
be found。 At length the Square Baby discovered her in a most ideal spot。
A large boulder had dropped years ago into the brook that fills our duck…
pond； dropped and split in halves with the two smooth walls leaning away
from each other。 A grassy bank towered behind； and on either side of the
opening； tall bushes made a miniature forest where the romantic mother
could brood her treasures while her two guardians enjoyed the water close
by her retreat。
All this happened before my coming to Thornycroft Farm； but it was I
who named the hero and heroines of the romance when Phoebe had told
me all the particulars。 Yesterday morning I was sitting by my open
window。 It was warm； sunny； and still； but in the country sounds travel
far； and I could hear fowl conversation in various parts of the poultry…yard
as well as in all the outlying bits of territory occupied by our feathered
friends。 Hens have only three words and a scream in their language； but
ducks； having more thoughts to express； converse quite fluently； so
fluently； in fact； that it reminds me of dinner at the Hydropathic Hotel。 I
fancy I have learned to distinguish seven separate sounds； each varied by
degrees of intensity； and with upward or downward inflections like the
Chinese tongue。
In the distance； then； I heard the faint voice of a duck calling as if
breathless and excited。 While I wondered what was happening； I saw
Miss Crippletoes struggling up the steep bank above the duck… pond。 It
was the quickest way from the water to the house； but difficult for the little
lame webbed feet。 When she reached the level grass sward she sank
down a moment； exhausted； but when she could speak again she cried out；
a sharp staccato call； and ran forward。
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The Diary of a Goose Girl
Instantly she was answered from a distant knoll； where for some
reason Sir Muscovy loved to retire for meditation。 The cries grew lower
and softer as the birds approached each other； and they met at the corner
just under my window。 Instantly they put their two bills together and the
loud cries changed to confiding murmurs。 Evidently some hurried
questions and answers passed between them； and then Sir Muscovy
waddled rapidly by the quickest path； Miss Crippletoes following him at a
slower pace； and both passed out of sight； using their wings to help their
feet down the steep declivity。 The next morning； when I wakened early；
my first thought was to look out； and there on the sunny greensward where
they were accustomed to be fed； Sir Muscovy； Lady Blanche； and their
humble maid； Malardina Crippletoes； were scattering their own breakfast
before the bills of twelve beautiful golden balls of ducklings。 The little
creatures could never have climbed the bank； but must have started from
their nest at dawn； coming round by the brook to the level at the foot of
the garden； and so by slow degrees up to the house。
Judging from what I heard and knew of their habits； I am sure the
excitement of the previous morning was occasioned by the hatching of the
eggs； and that Lady Blanche had hastily sent her friend to call Sir
Muscovy； the family remaining together until they could bring the babies
with them and display their beauty to Phoebe and me。
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The Diary of a Goose Girl
CHAPTER X
July 14th。
We are not wholly without the pleasures of the town in Barbury Green。
Once or twice in a summer； late on a Saturday afternoon； a procession of
red and yellow vans drives into a field near the centre of the village。 By
the time the vans are unpacked all the children in the community are
surrounding the gate of entrance。 There is rifle…shooting； there is fortune…
telling； there are games of pitch and toss； and swings； and French bagatelle；
and； to crown all； a wonderful orchestrion that goes by steam。 The water
is boiled for the public's tea； and at the same time thrilling strains of
melody are flung into the air。 There is at present only one tune in the
orchestrion's repertory； but it is a very good tune； though after hearing it
three hundred and seven times in a single afternoon； it pursues one；
sleeping and waking； for the next week。 Phoebe and I took the Square
Baby and went in to this diversified entertainment。 There was a small
crowd of children at the entrance； but as none of them seemed to b