As they passed us they somewhat modified
the noise they were making, but only to cackle, chatter, and bawl and
laugh at each other the louder after we were left behind.
'Don't you wish,' said the little girl meditatively, 'that men and
women had voices more like the birds?' The idea had never occurred to
me before, but I understood in a moment what she meant, and
sympathised with her. Nature of course has been unkind to the lords
and ladies of creation in this one matter of voice.
'Yes, I do.' I said.
'I'm so glad you do,' said she. 'I've so often thought what a pity it
is that God did not let men and women talk and sing as the birds do.
I believe He did let 'em talk like that in the Garden of Eden, don't
you?'
'I think it very likely,' I said.
'Men's voices are so rough mostly and women's voices are so sharp
mostly, that it's sometimes a little hard to love 'em as you love the
birds.'
'It is,' I said.
'Don't you think the poor birds must sometimes feel very much
distressed at hearing the voices of men and women, especially when
they all talk together?'
The idea seemed so original and yet so true that it made me laugh; we
both laughed.
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