I am astonished at what you say . ' ` You will be more astonished when I tell you that on my arrival here for the summer I found my nest occupied by a shameless sparrow ! `` This is my nest , '' I said . `` Yours ? '' he answered , with a rude laugh . `` Yes , mine ; my ancestors were born here , and my sons will be born here also . '' And at that my husband set upon him and threw him out of the nest . I am sure nothing of this sort ever happens in a town . ' ` Not exactly , perhaps . But I have seen a great deal -- if you only knew ! ' ` Oh ! do tell us ! do tell us ! ' cried they all . And when they had settled themselves comfortably , the city swallow began : ` You must know , then that our king fell in love with the youngest daughter of a tailor , who was as good and gentle as she was beautiful . His nobles hoped that he would have chosen a queen from one of their daughters , and tried to prevent the marriage ; but the king would not listen to them , and it took place . Not many months later a war broke out , and the king rode away at the head of his army , while the queen remained behind , very unhappy at the separation . When peace was made , and the king returned , he was told that his wife had had two babies in his absence , but that both were dead ; that she herself had gone out of her mind and was obliged to be shut up in a tower in the mountains , where , in time , the fresh air might cure her . ' ` And was this not true ? ' asked the swallows eagerly .
` Of course not , ' XXXXX the city lady , with some contempt for their stupidity .
answered asked cried happens hoped remained returned seen settled told