[Illustration:  {A man with birds}]

4.  All the birds in the garden flocked to him.  They seemed to know him as an old friend.  Some perched on his shoulders and some on his hat.  One bold little fellow tried to get into his pocket.  It was a pretty sight to see him feeding the birds.

5.  In the gardens there were many nurses carrying babies.  These nurses were very gay indeed.  They wore gray cloaks and white caps, with broad silk ribbons hanging down their backs.

6.  Some of the older children were playing ball, but they did not play very well.  Until a few years ago French boys had few outdoor games.  Now they are learning to play tennis and football.

7.  French boys are always clean and neatly dressed, however poor they may be.  They think more about lessons than our boys do.  Their school hours are much longer than ours.

8.  French girls have not so much freedom as our girls.  A grown-up person takes them to school and brings them home again.  Their mothers do not allow them to go for walks by themselves.  I wonder how Kate and May would like this.

9.  Some day I must take you to see Paris.  You would love to ramble through its streets.  Many of them are planted with trees.  Under these trees you may see men and women sitting at little tables.  They eat and drink while a band plays merry tunes.

[Illustration:  {People at a table, being waited on}]

10.  You would be sure to notice that the French people have very good manners.  When a Frenchman enters or leaves a shop he raises his hat and bows.  A Frenchman is always polite, and he always tries to please you.

11.  I cannot now write anything more about Paris.  I should like to tell you about its beautiful buildings and its fine shops, but I have no more time to spare.

12.  I hope you are all doing your best to make mother happy.  I am very well; I hope you are well too.—­Your loving father.

* * * * *

4.  On the way to Egypt.

1.  My dear children,—­I am writing this letter on board the big ship which is taking me to Egypt.  Let me tell you what I have seen and done since I left Paris.

2.  It is a long day’s ride from Paris to the seaport from which my ship set sail.  Let me tell you about the journey.  A few hours after leaving Paris the train began to run through vineyards.

3.  At this time of the year a vineyard is a pretty sight.  The broad leaves of the vine are tinted with crimson and gold.  Beneath them are the purple or golden grapes.

4.  As I passed through France the grapes were ripe, and were being gathered.  I could see women and children going up and down between the rows of vines.  They plucked the ripe fruit and put it into baskets.  When the baskets were filled they were emptied into a big tub.