Chapter 78
The Portuguese DuckA DUCK once arrived from Portugal, but there were some who
said she came from Spain, which is almost the same thing. At all
events, she was called the "Portuguese," and she laid eggs, was
killed, and cooked, and there was an end of her. But the ducklings
which crept forth from the eggs were also called "Portuguese," and
about that there may be some question. But of all the family one
only remained in the duckyard, which may be called a farmyard, as
the chickens were admitted, and the c**k strutted about in a very
hostile manner. "He annoys me with his loud crowing," said the
Portuguese duck; "but, still, he's a handsome bird, there's no
denying that, although he's not a drake. He ought to moderate his
voice, like those little birds who are singing
