"Wasn't you for telling me that very first day that when people scared her birds away she just killed them! It's all me foolishness, and I'll never forgive meself!" The Bird Woman plunged into the swale at the mouth of Sleepy Snake Creek, and came wading toward them, with a couple of cameras and dripping tripods.
"If you will permit me a word, my infants," she said, "I will explain to you that I have had three shots at that fellow." The Angel heaved a deep sigh of relief, and Freckles' face cleared a little.
"Two of them," continued the Bird Woman, "in the rushes--one facing, crest lowered; one light on back, crest flared; and the last on wing, when you came up.

I simply had been praying for something to make him arise from that side, so that he would fly toward the camera, for he had waded around until in my position I couldn't do it myself.

See?
Behold in yourselves the answer to the prayers of the long-suffering!" Freckles took a step toward her.
"Are you really meaning that ?" he asked wonderingly.

"Only think, Angel, we did the right thing! She won't lose her picture through the carelessness of us, when she's waited and soaked nearly two hours.

She's not angry with us!" "Never was in a sweeter temper in my life," said the Bird Woman, busily cleaning and packing the cameras.
Freckles removed his hat and solemnly held out his hand.