_You_ would not have done it, William,
because you have already learnt there is such a thing as a necessary
prudence to deal out your morsels with wisdom, and in a measure
suited to the age and the capacity of the birds, and also that their
food should be of a wholesome kind suitable to their nature. Nothing
of this did Frances know, and it seems she had not learnt wisdom from
the circumstances she had herself so lately fallen into.
"It reminds me of the scripture, which teaches us to profit: 'Open
thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.' These little birds first
attracted your attention by their _open mouths_, which they had
stretched to receive what their poor mother was preparing to put into
them. As one lighted on the edge of their nest, they instinctively
opened their little yellow-edged beaks; she delighted to see them do
so; and they, taking with content what she had provided for them,
with the utmost confidence swallowed it down. She had a bit for every
one of them in turn and they waited patiently until it was given
them. All was well whilst they were nourished with parental
tenderness and prudence, and none other meddled with them, or
ventured to give them other things, which they, being blind, received
and knew not the hand that gave, nor the consequences of eating food
not such as their parent would have provided.
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