“But when Mrs. Bantam came into the kitchen for her luncheon she could not induce Captain Bantam to follow.  In vain she coaxed and cackled, running in and out a dozen times to convince him there was nothing to fear.  He would not believe her nor budge one inch over the door-sill.  She lost patience at last, and rated him soundly; but as neither coaxing nor scolding availed, and she was eating her meal with a poor relish inside, while he waited unhappily without, we settled the difficulty by putting the dish on the door-step, where they ate together in perfect content.

“But a more serious trouble came at bed-time, for Mrs. Bantam expected to roost as usual in the shed, while the Captain preferred the old apple-tree where the rest of the flock spent their nights.  The funny little couple held an animated discussion about it which lasted far into the twilight—­and neither would yield.  The Captain was very polite and conciliatory.  He evidently had no mind to quarrel:  but neither would he give up the point.  He occasionally suspended the argument by a stroll into the garden, where, by vigorous scratching, he would produce a choice morsel, to which he called her attention by an insinuating ’Have a worm, dear?’ She never failed to accept the offering, gulping it down with great satisfaction, but was too old a bird to be caught by so shallow a trick, for she would immediately return to her place by the shed window, and resume her discourse.  When she had talked herself sleepy she ended the contest for that night by flying through the window and settling herself comfortably in the old place, while the Captain took his solitary way across the garden and over the fence to the apple-tree.

Every night for a week this scene occurred under the shed window; then, by mutual consent, they seemed to agree to go their several ways without further dispute.  About sunset the Captain might be seen politely escorting his mate to her chosen lodging-house, and, after seeing her safely disposed of for the night, quietly betaking himself to his roost in the apple-tree.

“He was at her window early every morning crowing lustily.  Charlie and I were sure he said:  ‘Do—­come—­out—­now!  Do—­come—­out—­n-o-w!’ and were vexed with the little hen for keeping him waiting so long.  But his patience never failed; and, when at last she flew down and joined him, a prouder, happier bantam rooster never strutted about the place.  All day long he kept close at her side, providing her with the choicest tidbits the garden afforded, and watching her with unselfish delight while she swallowed each dainty morsel.  In the middle of the day they rested under the currant-bushes, crooning sleepily to each other or taking a quiet nap.

“One day we missed them both, and for three weeks saw them only at intervals, Mrs. Bantam always coming alone, eating a hurried meal, and stealing away as quickly as possible; while the Captain wandered about rather dejectedly, we thought, in the society of the other hens.