She waited now for the big egg to hatch. But day after day went on, and the big egg showed no signs of cracking, and the duck grew more and more impatient.
When she woke with the first steaks of light she felt something stirring under her. Yes, there it was at last. There was no denying it was ugly, even the mother was forced to admit that to herself, though she only said it was 'large' and 'strong.'
'You won't need any teaching when you are once in the water,' she told him, with a glance of surprise at the dull brown which covered his back.
