Page:Story of the robins.djvu/114

100 limbs could manage to get up these low trees, but Robin must content himself upon the ground a little longer." This was very mortifying, but he had no one to blame excepting himself; so he forbore to complain, and assumed as much cheerfulness as he could. His brothers and sisters begged they might stay with him all day, as they could do very well without going up to the nest; to this the parents consented. It is now time to inquire after Harriet and her brother. These happy children reached home soon after they left the redbreasts, and related every circumstance of their expedition to their kind mamma, who, hearing the little prisoners in the basket chirp very loudly, desired they would immediately go and feed them, which they gladly did, and then took a short lesson. Mrs. Benson told Harriet that she was going to make a visit in the afternoon, and should take her with her, therefore desired she would keep herself quite still, that she might not be fatigued after the walk she had had in the morning; for though she meant to go in the carriage it was her intention to walk home, as the weather was so remarkably fine. The young lady took great care of the birds, and Frederick engaged, with the assistance of the maid, to feed them during her absence. Harriet was then dressed to attend her mamma.