`` Excuse me , if I do n't give my name , ma'am . My false friend , the rat , got me into a sad scrape once ; and Rowley insists upon it that a duck destroyed me , which is all gammon , ma'am , -- all gammon . '' With that , the frog skipped away ; and I turned into a narrow lane , which seemed to lead toward some music . I had not gone far , when I heard the rumbling of a wheelbarrow , and saw a little man wheeling a little woman along . The little man looked very hot and tired ; but the little woman looked very nice , in a smart bonnet and shawl , and kept looking at a new gold ring on her finger , as she rode along under her little umbrella . I was wondering who they were , when down went the wheelbarrow ; and the little lady screamed so dismally that I ran away , lest I should get into trouble , -- being a stranger . Turning a corner , I came upon a very charming scene , and slipped into a quiet nook to see what was going on . It was evidently a wedding ; and I was just in time to see it , for the procession was passing at that moment . First came a splendid cock-a-doodle , all in black and gold , like a herald , blowing his trumpet , and marching with a very dignified step . Then came a rook , in black , like a minister , with spectacles and white cravat . A lark and bullfinch followed , -- friends , I suppose ; and then the bride and bridegroom . Miss Wren was evidently a Quakeress ; for she wore a sober dress , and a little white veil , through which her bright eyes shone . The bridegroom was a military man , in his scarlet uniform , -- a plump , bold-looking bird , very happy and proud just then . A goldfinch gave away the bride , and a linnet was bridesmaid . The ceremony was very fine ; and , as soon as it was over , the blackbird , thrush and nightingale burst out in a lovely song . A splendid dinner followed , at which was nearly every bird that flies ; so you may imagine the music there was . They had currant-pie in abundance ; and cherry-wine , which excited a cuckoo so much , that he became quite rude , and so far forgot himself as to pull the bride about . This made the groom so angry that he begged his friend , the sparrow , to bring his bow and arrow , and punish the ruffian . But , alas ! Sparrow had also taken a drop too much : he aimed wrong , and , with a dreadful cry , Mr. Robin sank dying into the arms of his wife , little Jane .
It was too much for me ; and , taking advantage of the confusion that XXXXX , I left the tragical scene as fast as possible .
being came followed looked marching screamed skipped suppose turned went