A Queer Race: The Story of a Strange People — page 163: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

16002 A QUEER RACE. «¢ At any rate, we call it a magpie.” ‘¢Why shouldn’t you? Iam sure I have no objection. But you have not told me why it is a bad sign.” ‘‘Don’t you know that a single magpie bodes evil?” ‘¢ ¢ One for sorrow, two for mirth, Three for a wedding, four for a birth.’ ” ‘¢T think I have heard something like that before,” I said, laughing. ‘‘1 once heard an old woman repeat it when I was a small boy.” ‘«‘ You don’t believe in signs and omens?” ‘*No, I don’t, and I am surprised you do. Yet why should I be? Superstition dies hard; and your ideas are naturally-——” Here, feeling that I was rather putting my foot init, I paused for further consideration. ‘«“Oh, don’t hesitate. I know what you mean,” re- turned the queen in a hurt voice. ‘‘ We islanders are backward and ignorant—our ideas are old-fashioned. I admit it. All the same, you must acknowledge that my forebodings have so far proved only too true, and if the flight of that magpie does not prove a presage of sorrow I shall be agreeably surprised.” ‘‘T have not the least doubt it will. Sorrow is sure to come sooner or later—rather sooner than later; mirth, too, whether magpies fly singly or in pairs; so are wed- dings and births—at the rate of a few thousand a day.” . * Don’t talk nonsense, Mr. Krle,” returned Mab, im- patiently (she was not used to being chaffed). <‘‘ I'he sion is only for those by whom it is seen. ‘The appear: ance of that magpie boded sorrow for some of us. Of that I am sure.” ‘* Which of us is going to be married then? Fer see, there are three of them flying over that tree!” This time the queen did not answer; but a minute later she uttered an exclamation. ‘“Stop! Look there!” she cried. Her sharp eyes had detected a deer browsing in a glade afew hundred yards ahead. I instinctively raised my rifle to my shoulder, and as I pulled the trigger the creature bounded away. ~€ Confound it!” I exclaimed. <‘‘I forgot that I was not loaded. Whata splendid shot I should have had! However, [ will be ready for the next.” And with that I opened the breech and inserted a cartridge. >. (E@MNMUCE VOOKS. COM |