Page:Story of the robins.djvu/209

Rh his mate:—"Well, my love, as there is no chance of our being set at liberty, I think we may as well prepare our nest, that you may deposit your eggs in it. The employment of hatching and raising your little ones will at least mitigate the wearisomeness of confinement, and I promise myself many happy days yet; for as we are so well fed and attended, I think we may form hopes that our offspring will also be provided for; and though they will not be at liberty to range about as we formerly did, they will avoid many of those terrors and anxieties to which our race are frequently exposed, at one season of the year in particular." "I am very ready to follow your advice," said the hen partridge, "and the business will soon be completed, for the nest is in a manner made for us, it only wants a little adjusting; I will therefore set about it immediately, and will no longer waste my hours in fruitless lamentations, since I am convinced that content will render every situation easy in which we can enjoy the company of our dearest friends, and obtain the necessaries of life." So saying, she retired into the place provided for the purpose on which she was now intent, and her mate followed, in order to lend her all the assistance in his power.

"I am very glad that my young ones have had