"Don't look down," he said, "or you'll get giddy. Keep your eyes on the nests, and we'll be there in no time. How do you like it?" "It's very nice," said Elsie. "I had no idea it was so----" She had just made a most startling discovery. "I seem to be getting smaller and smaller!" she exclaimed in a frightened voice. "Naturally," answered the rook. "Everything does when it goes up in the air. Haven't you ever watched a balloon?" "But you're just the same size," protested Elsie, for by this time the rook was almost as big as herself. "Oh, I'm used to it!" he answered carelessly. "You see, after a bit, when one's always flying about, it ceases to have any effect." By this time they were getting quite near the nests, and Elsie was beginning to feel rather tired. "We're nearly there now!" said the rook. "Stick to it!" As she spoke, a whole crowd of other rooks suddenly rose from the trees, and came circling down to meet them. They made such a tremendous noise that for a few moments Elsie couldn't hear what they were saying. At last, however, she began to make out a sort of song; but, as they were all singing it at once, and each to a different tune, it was rather difficult to follow the words. It sounded something like this: Welcome to our brother Jim! Caw! Caw! Caw! He's brought the little girl with him, Caw! Caw! Caw! So clap your wings and loudly squeak; There'll be no bang! bang! bang! next week! "What do they mean?" asked Elsie. "Oh, nothing!" said the rook hurriedly. "It's only their idea of a lark." "I--don't--think--it's--very--like one," panted Elsie. "Here--take my claw," said the rook. "You're getting tired." Elsie stretched out her hand and caught hold of the rook's claw, which he held out to her, and then, before she had quite realized what was happening, she found herself sitting on a twig at the very top of the tallest elm tree. The branches all round were simply covered with rooks, who sat and stared at her solemnly. Even the young ones were peering over the edges of the nests, and making rude remarks to each other about her personal appearance. She looked down at the garden, and it gave her quite a jump to see what a terrible distance it was. It seemed simply miles and miles away. The house looked just like one of those tiny little toy dolls' houses. "Well," said the rook. "How do you feel?" Elsie clung to the twig, for it had suddenly begun to sway about in the most alarming manner. "I feel very small," she answered nervously. "Naturally," said the rook. "So do most people when they're up a tree." And all the other rooks went "Ha! Ha! Ha!" "Does it always sway about like this?" asked Elsie. "Whenever it blows," answered the rook calmly. "Where there's a wind there's a sway. But come along and see the nests." "How can I get there?" demanded Elsie. "Why, jump, of course! It's quite easy." "But I might fall," objected Elsie. "Are you proud?" asked the rook.