` Being a woman , sir , I 'm naturally of an inquiring turn ; and I must confess that I have a strong desire to know how it happens that you take your walks abroad , when you are supposed to be permanently engaged at home ? ' He shrugged his shoulders , and actually winked at me , as he replied , ` That 's all people know of what goes on under , or rather over , their noses . Bless you , ma'am ! I leave my roost every night , and enjoy myself in all sorts of larks . Excuse the expression ; but , being ornithological , it is more proper for me than for some people who use it . ' ` What a gay old bird ! ' thought I , feeling quite at home after that . ` Please tell me what you do , when the shades of evening prevail , and you go out for a frolic ? ' ' I am a gentleman ; therefore I behave myself , ' returned the eagle ; with a stately air . ' I must confess , I smoke a great deal : but that 's not my fault , it 's the fault of the chimneys . They keep it up all day , and I have to take it ; just as you poor ladies have to take cigar smoke , whether you like it or not . My amusements are of a wholesome kind . I usually begin by taking a long flight down the harbour , for a look at the lighthouses , the islands , the shipping , and the sea . My friends , the gulls , bring their reports to me ; for they are the harbour-police , and I take notes of their doings . The school-ship is an object of interest to me , and I often perch on the mast-head , to see how the lads are getting on . Then I take a turn over the city , gossip with the weathercocks , pay my compliments to the bells , inspect the fire-alarm , and pick up information by listening at the telegraph wires . People often talk about `` a little bird '' who spreads news ; but they do n't know how that figure of speech originated . It is the sparrows sitting on the wires , who receive the electric shock , and , being hollow-boned , the news go straight to their heads ; they then fly about , chirping it on the housetops , and the air carries it everywhere . That 's the way rumours rise and news spread . ' ` If you 'll allow , I 'll make a note of that interesting fact , ' said I , wondering if I might believe him .
He appeared to fall into a reverie while I jotted down the sparrow story , and it occurred to me that perhaps I ought to offer my distinguished guest some refreshment ; but , when I modestly alluded to it , he XXXXX , with an aldermanic air , ` No , thank you ; I 've just dined at the Parker House . '
engaged enjoy fly goes make receive said shrugged sitting use