Page:Story of the robins.djvu/113

Rh "Say you so? then let us see which of you will be down first," said she. "Come, I will show you the way."

On this, with gradual flight the mother bent her course to a spot near the place where Robin lay concealed; they all instantly followed her, and surprised their father, who having seen Joe, was every instant expecting he would open the door. At length, to the joy of the whole party, the gardener appeared, and they soon saw him fetch his shears and leave the tool-house open; on this the mother proposed that they should all go together and call Robin. There they found him in his snug little bed: but who can describe the happy meeting? who can find words to express the raptures which filled each little bosom?

When the first transports subsided, "I think," said the father, "it will be best to retire from hence. If our friend returns, he may take us for a set of thieves, and suppose that we came to eat his seeds, and I should be sorry he should have an ill opinion of us." "Well, I am ready," said his mate. "And we!" cried the whole brood.

They accordingly left the tool-house, and hopped about among the currant bushes. "I think," said the father, "that you who have the full use of your