Page:Story of the robins.djvu/112

98 So saying, away he flew, and brought his mate, who was perfectly satisfied with the lodging provided for her late undutiful but now repentant son; but, reminded by her mate that if they stayed longer they might be shut in, they took leave, telling Robin they would visit him early in the morning.

Though this habitation was much better than Robin expected, and he was ready enough to own better than he deserved, yet he deeply regretted his absence from the nest, and longed to see again his brother and sisters. However, though part of the night was spent in bitter reflections, fatigue at length prevailed over anxiety, and he fell asleep. The nestlings were greatly pleased to find that Robin was likely to escape the dangers of the night, and even the anxious mother at length resigned herself to repose. Before the sun showed his glorious face in the east, every individual of this affectionate family was awake: the father with impatience waited for the gardener's opening the tool-house; the mother prepared her little ones for a new excursion.

"You will be able to descend with more ease, my dears, to-day than you did yesterday, shall you not?"

"Oh yes, mother," said Dicky, "I shall not be at all afraid." "Nor I," said Flapsy.