"Birds at our time of life should not have to attend parties," said
several, and Dot wondered why they came. "How are you, old neighbour?"
said one to another. "Terribly bored!" was the reply. "How long must we
stay, do you think?" asked another. "Oh! until these young fools have
finished amusing themselves," answered its friend. The only satin birds
who seemed to Dot to be interested in one another, were some engaged in
discussing the scarcity of berries and the wrongs done to bower birds by
White Humans destroying the wild fig and lillipilli trees. This grievance,
and the question as to what berries or figs agreed best with each old
bower bird's digestion, were the only topics discussed with any animation.
Dot soon tired of listening to the birds, and returned to the Kangaroo,
who asked her if she cared to stay longer. The little girl said she had
seen and heard enough, and, judging by this one, she didn't care for
parties.
"Neither do I," whispered the Kangaroo; "they make me feel tired; and,
somehow, they seem to remind one of everything one knows that's sad, in
spite of all the gaiety."
"Is it gay?" enquired Dot, hesitating a little in her speech, for she had
felt rather dull and miserable.
"Well, everyone says it's gay, and there is always a deal of noise, so I
suppose it is," answered the Kankaroo.
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