She points to the tree, and says, in a half-whisper, "Hark!" When the sound ceases, she looks to the child with an expression of pleasure upon her countenance, and says, "Suppose we give that bird some crumbs because he has been singing us such a pretty song." "Well!" says the child.
"Would you ?" asks the mother.
"Yes, mother, I should like to give him some very much.

Do you suppose he sang the song for us ?" "I don't _know_ that he did," replies the mother.

"We don't know exactly what the birds mean by all their singing.

They take some pleasure in seeing us, I think, or else they would not come so much around our house; and I don't know but that this bird's song may come from some kind of joy or gladness he felt in seeing us come to the door.

At any rate, it will be a pleasure to us to give him some crumbs to pay him for his song." The child will think so too, and will run off joyfully to bring a piece of bread to form crumbs to be scattered upon the path.
And the whole transaction will have the effect of awakening and cherishing the sentiment of gratitude in her heart.