His spouse, who was guarding their nest up in the big live oak in the front yard, trilled her limited paeon of praise.

Beth, who often acted as interpreter for beast and bird, thought the proud wife-bird meant to say: 

“Bravo.  Isn’t he the most wonderful tenor that ever lived?  Are you surprised that I love him so?  He is the best and smartest husband in all the world.”

Fritz and black pussy grew restless.  She spit at him, and he barked at her.

“Now, my dears, do let me enjoy this beautiful music in peace,” Beth said reprovingly.

Hardly had she spoken, before black pussy sprang away, and Fritz was after her in an instant.

Beth did not dare follow for fear of frightening away Mr. Mocking Bird, who stopped singing as cat and dog scampered away, but who had not yet flown back to his mate.  He was watching fearfully every move of the frolicsome pair.

Away scurried kitty to the other end of the porch with Fritz a close second.  Suddenly, she turned, settling down on her back with her claws out-stretched, ready to receive Fritz.  In an instant he was on her.  Over and over they rolled in their wild play.  Fritz became too rough to suit puss, and she gave him a sudden dab with her sharp little claws.  The blow disabled him for a moment, allowing puss to spring away from him.  She scampered down the steps and towards the big tree with Fritz again after her.

Mr. Mocking Bird was up in arms in an instant.  How dared the impudent creatures approach that tree where dwelt his wife and children!  He flew to the rescue.

Mrs. Mocking Bird, too, had grown so nervous that she, also, left her young, and joined in the fray.  Together Mr. and Mrs. Mocking Bird dived and pecked at the cat and the dog in a most ferocious manner.

Beth rushed out, ready to assist the birds, if necessary, but her aid was not needed.

Black puss and Fritz were so taken by surprise at the fierce onslaught of the birds that they turned and sneaked away as fast as they could go.  Thus, through the power of love, the weaker triumphed over the stronger.  Later on the mocking birds also came out victors in another contest, and against greater numbers, too.  It happened in this wise: 

As the days went by, Beth grew somewhat restless.  She did not exactly tire of Fritz, puss, and Arabella, but she longed for diversion.  Then one evening Mr. Davenport brought home a large coop of chickens, and calling Beth to him, he said: 

“You are to tend these, daughter, and hunt eggs every day.”

“Oh you dear, good papa.  I want to take one of the sweet things in my arms.”

Thereupon she tried to get a chicken, but somehow, in so doing, she upset the coop.  Away flurried the chickens in every direction.  Beth felt ready to cry.

“Never mind,” said Mr. Davenport; “when they go to roost to-night, we can catch them, and put them in the chicken house.”