"
"The Swallow says that's the jury," answered the Magpie. "Their business
is to do just what they like with you when all the talking is done, and
whether they find you guilty or not, will depend on if they are tired, or
hungry, and feel cross; or if the trial lasts only a short time, and they
are pleased with the grubs that will be brought them presently."
"How funny," said Dot, not a bit alarmed at all these preparations for her
trial, for she loved all the creatures so much, that she could not think
that any of them wished to hurt her.
"If this is human law," said the Magpie, "it isn't funny at all; it is
mad, or wicked. Fancy my having to defend a Human!"
At this point of their conversation, the ill-feeling amongst the jury
broke out into open fighting, because the English Sparrow was a foreigner,
and they said that it would certainly sympathise with the Humans who had
brought it to Australia. This was just an excuse to get rid of it. The
Sparrow said that it wanted to go out of the jury, and had never wished to
belong to it, and flew away joyfully. Then all the rest of the jury
grumbled at the good luck of the Sparrow in getting out of the trial--for
they could see it picking up grass seed and enjoying itself greatly,
whilst they were all crowded together on one branch, and were feeling
hungry before the trial had even begun.
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