The peacock pretended not to see anyone. He strutted about picking up
corn. But he must have glanced out of the corner of his eye every time
he stooped for another kernel. For when a crowd had gathered he left off
eating and faced about in front of the people.
He swelled out his chest till he could not see his ugly feet. Out he
spread slowly his shining blue and green tail with its hundreds of eyes.
It came up around his head like a gorgeous frame.
All the little boys and girls in the crowd held their breath until it
came out in a great “Ah!” The peacock let them look a whole minute. Then
he lowered his tail and strutted away.