Thus he had a piece of branch perhaps twenty inches
long, with the nest hanging midway of it. This he held with the greatest
care, lest in turning the branch the delicate fabric by which it hung
should strain and break away. You would have thought that that little
prisoner of the speckled head owned the tree, which in point of fact was
owned by Temple Camp, notwithstanding its distance from the scout
community. So it was really Hervey's more than it was little
downy-head's if it comes to that.
It is not every landlord that goes to so much trouble for a tenant.
CHAPTER X
OFF WITH THE OLD LOVE, ON WITH THE NEW
"All right, we're coming down; kill the fatted calf," Hervey called with
all his former gay manner. "No more up and down trails for me. This is
moving day."
When he had descended a little nearer, Tom heard the cheery voice more
clearly. "It's no easy job moving a house and family. I have to watch my
step. Oh, boy, _coming down!_ This tree is tied in a sailor's knot."
"Are you bringing the bird?" Tom called.
"I'm bringing the bird and the whole block he lived in," Hervey called
back merrily. "I'm transplanting the neighborhood. He's going to move
into a better locality--very fashionable. He's coming up in the world--I
mean down. _O-o-h, boy_, watch your step; there was a narrow escape! I
stepped on a chunk of air."
So he came down working his way with both feet and one hand, and holding
the precious piece of branch with its dangling nest in the other.
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