Of Winks and Wings - Short Conclusion

But here's another odd item, one that gives me a very funny, almost queasy feeling, whenever I think on it long enough. Ever since that day with Clarence, whenever I go to the park pond to feed the birds, and when I finish at the shore with the swans, (as I promised Clarence I would), and go up to the bench to feed the pigeons, that funny little duck with the striped leg, the one I now call Grace, always follows me, and either sits down by my foot, or sometimes, jumps up to the bench to warm in the late-day sun. And the REAL kicker? There's a NEW duck now, a drake or male, and he's always tagging along behind the female, though at a safe distance from me ... he follows her everywhere, always watching what she does, always very intent on her habits, and sometimes even getting flustered when he thinks she's near danger ... and he has two bright orange legs, like she does, two very striking, piercing eyes, like her, two perfectly shaped Mallard wings, like her, and ONE ... single ... stripe, on his left leg.