Thank you , neighbors , and good night , '' said the man , as he left the barn , with the first smile on his face which it had worn for many days . `` Mercy on us ! I do believe the creature heard every thing we said , '' cried Mrs. Wing , nearly tumbling off the beam , in her surprise . `` He certainly did ; so I 'm glad I was guarded in my remarks , '' replied Mrs. Skim , laughing at her neighbor 's dismay . `` Dear me ! dear me ! what did I say ? '' cried Mrs. Wing , in a great twitter . `` You spoke with more than your usual bluntness , and some of your expressions were rather strong , I must confess ; but I do n't think any harm will come of it . We are of too little consequence for our criticisms or opinions to annoy him , '' said Mrs. Dart consolingly . `` I do n't know that , ma'am , '' returned Mrs. Wing , sharply : for she was much ruffled and out of temper . `` A cat may look at a king ; and a bird may teach a man , if the bird is the wisest . He may destroy my nest , and take my life ; but I feel that I have done my duty , and shall meet affliction with a firmness which will be an example to that indolent , ungrateful man . '' In spite of her boasted firmness , Mrs. Wing dropped her voice , and peeped over the beam , to be sure the man was gone before she called him names ; and then flew away , to discover what he meant to do about it . For several days , there was much excitement in Twittertown ; for news of what had happened flew from nest to nest , and every bird was anxious to know what revenge the man would take for the impertinent remarks which had been made about him . Mrs. Wing was in a dreadful state of mind , expecting an assault , and the destruction of her entire family . Every one blamed her . Her husband lectured ; the young birds chirped , `` Chatterbox , chatterbox , '' as she passed ; and her best friends were a little cool . All this made her very meek for a time ; and she scarcely opened her bill , except to eat . A guard was set day and night , to see if any danger approached ; and a row of swallows might be seen on the ridgepole at all hours .
If any one entered the barn , dozens of little black heads XXXXX cautiously over the edges of the nests , and there was much flying to and fro with reports and rumors ; for all the birds in the town soon knew that something had happened .
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