Maurice took his hand full of corn and let the hen peck from it.
"Durst you do it ?" he asked of Paul.
"Let's see," said Paul.
He had a small hand, warm, and rather capable-looking.

Miriam watched.
He held the corn to the hen.

The bird eyed it with her hard, bright eye, and suddenly made a peck into his hand.

He started, and laughed.

"Rap, rap, rap!" went the bird's beak in his palm.