Page:Story of the robins.djvu/189

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
The Aviary.
173

sent situation, considering all things; on which he resumed his cheerfulness, and giving a sprightly twitter, hopped into Frederick's hand, which was spread open to receive him. The rest then flew away, and Harriet and her brother prepared for their morning tasks.

The redbreasts alighted as usual to drink in the courtyard, and were preparing to return to the orchard, when Flapsy expressed a desire to look a little about the world, for she said it would be very mopish to be always confined to the orchard; and Dicky seconded her request. Pecksy declared that, however her curiosity might be excited, she had known so much happiness in the nest, that she was strongly attached to the paternal spot, and could gladly pass her life there. The parents highly commended her contented disposition; but her father said that as there was nothing blameable in the inclination Dicky and Flapsy expressed for seeing the world, provided it was kept within due bounds, he would readily gratify it. Then asking if they were sufficiently refreshed, he took wing, and led the way to a neighbouring grove, where he placed his little tribe among the branches of a venerable oak. Here their ears were charmed with a most enchanting concert of music. On one tree a blackbird and a