After all, how could this ignorant child know what she had never been taught?
Miss Bowes might well preach patience and forbearance.
"It's very cruel to snare the birds with lime at any time, especially now, when they have young ones who would starve without them," she explained with what calm she could muster.

"Promise me that you will never try to do such a thing again, and never interfere with any of the nests.

Mrs.Arnold will be most grieved to hear of this." The orphan's black eyes filled with tears.
"Will she mind?
I thought she'd like 'em to keep in a cage as pets.

I'd do anything in the world to please her." "Then leave the birds alone, if you want to please her.

Run now to the house and fetch me a basin full of hot water and a cloth.