book2

136 HENRY'S BIRTHDAY.
As I was going to tell you, Henry, as soon as
he thought of the hens, ran out, seized the
large grass-scissors, and went to cutting up
clover. It was beautifully blossomed and very
sweet. " I will make one present more to-day,"
said he. "The hens shall have a good supply
of clover."
At the close of such a long summer-day, and
after a pretty long abstinence from everything
of the kind— for they had received none but dry
food for several days — the hens seized and de
voured certain portions of the grass with as much
eagerness as though they were half-starved. I
do not know that hens are susceptible of feel
ings of gratitude; but were it so, one might
have thought they were grateful to Henry for
his birthday present.