"I know, my dear, why you didn't."
"Why, I should like to know, sir?" she said, turning her bright eyes towards him for an instant and then looking away again.
"Because, my darling, you knew that, in spite of his good qualities that you respected you loved a good-for-nothing, lazy fellow, good-looking enough," said the sparrow with a conceited little air, "but whose only virtue was that he cared more for one look from your bright eyes than for all the rest of the world put together;" and he lit beside her, and stretching out his neck gave her an affectionate kiss.
"Don't!" said his little wife with a pout; "you don't mean it, you know you don't."
"Don't I, though?" answered her husband. "Come, my dear, it isn't becoming to you to be cross. Be the pretty, happy little thing you are, and tell your mean old husband that you're glad to see him home again."
