Page:Story of the robins.djvu/141

Rh For some time the young redbreasts behaved very well; but at length Dicky, familiarized by the kind treatment he met with, forgot his father's injunctions, and began to hop about in a very rude manner; he even jumped into the plate of bread and butter, and, wishing to taste the tea, hopped on the edge of a cup, but dipping his foot in the hot liquor, was glad to make a hasty retreat, to the great amusement of Frederick. Flapsy took the liberty of pecking at the sugar, but found it too hard for her tender beak. For these liberties, their mother reproved them, saying she would never bring them again, if they were guilty of such rudeness as to take what was not offered them.

As their longer stay would have broken in on a plan which Mrs. Benson had concerted, she rang her bell, and the footman came to remove the breakfast things; on which the old birds, having taken leave of Robin, and promised to come again the next day, flew out at the window, followed by Dicky, Flapsy, and Pecksy. Robin was safely deposited in a cage, and passed a happy day, being often allowed to hop out in order to be fed.

The parent birds alighted in the court, and conducted their little ones to the water which was set out for them, after which they all returned to the