Annietookamanyofthem，allthatshecouldfindherself，andalltheboyswouldbringher；andshemadeagreathutchnearthefire，intheback-kitchenchimney-place。Here，inspiteofouroldBettywhosadlywantedtoroastthem，Anniekeptsomefiftybirds，withbreadandmilk，andrawchoppedmeat，andalltheseedshecouldthinkof，andlumpsofrottenapples，placedtotemptthem，inthecorners。Somegoton，andsomediedoff；andAnniecriedforallthatdied，andburiedthemunderthewoodrick；but，Idoassureyou，itwasaprettythingtosee，whenshewenttotheminthemorning。Therewasnotabirdbutknewherwell，afteronedayofcomforting；andsomewouldcometoherhand，andsit，andshutoneeye，andlookather。Thensheusedtostroketheirheads，andfeeltheirbreasts，andtalktothem；andnotabirdofthemallwastherebutlikedtohaveitdonetohim。AndI
dobelievetheywouldeatfromherhandthingsunnaturaltothem，lestsheshouldhegrievedandhurtbynotknowingwhattodoforthem。Oneofthemwasanoblebird，suchasIneverhadseenbefore，ofveryfinebrightplumage，andlargerthanamissel-thrush。
Hewasthehardestofalltoplease：andyethetriedtodohisbest。Ihaveheardsincethen，fromamanwhoknowsallaboutbirds，andbeasts，andfishes，thathemusthavebeenaNorwegianbird，calledinthiscountryaRoller，whonevercomestoEnglandbutinthemosttremendouswinters。
Anotherlittlebirdtherewas，whomIlongedtowelcomehome，andprotectfromenemies，alittlebirdnonativetous，butthananynativedearer。Butlo，intheverynightwhichfollowedoldSirEnsor’sfuneral，suchastormofsnowbeganasneverhaveIheardnorreadof，neithercouldhavedreamedit。AtwhattimeofnightitfirstbeganismorethanIcansay，atleastfrommyownknowledge，forweallwenttobedsoonaftersupper，beingcoldandnotinclinedtotalk。Atthattimethewindwasmoaningsadly，andtheskyasdarkasawood，andthestrawintheyardswirlingroundandround，andthecowshuddlingintothegreatcowhouse，withtheirchinsupononeanother。Butwe，beingblinderthanthey，Isuppose，andnothavinghadagreatsnowforyears，madenopreparationagainstthestorm，exceptthatthelambingeweswereinshelter。
Itstruckme，asIlayinbed，thatwewereactingfoolishly；foranancientshepherdhaddroppedinandtakensupperwithus，andforetoldaheavyfallandgreatdisastertolivestock。Hesaidthathehadknownafrostbeginning，justasthishaddone，withablackeastwind，afterdaysofrawcoldfog，andthenonthethirdnightofthefrost，atthisverytimeofyeartowitonthe15thofDecembersuchasnowsetinaskilledhalfofthesheepandmanyevenofthereddeerandtheforestponies。Itwasthree-scoreyearsagone，*hesaid；andcausehehadtorememberit，inasmuchastwoofhistoeshadbeenlostbyfrost-nip，whilehedugouthissheepontheothersideoftheDunkery。Hereuponmothernoddedathim，havingheardfromherfatheraboutit，andhowthreemenhadbeenfrozentodeath，andhowbadlytheirstockingscameofffromthem。