Page:Story of the robins.djvu/96

82 young gentleman's face was on a level with his eyes, recollected him, and calling to his brother and sisters, told them they need not be afraid. Harriet followed her brother's example, and delighted the little flock with the sight of her amiable countenance. She heartily lamented having nothing with which to regale her old favourites and their family, when Frederick produced from his pocket a piece of biscuit, which they crumbled and scattered. Harriet, recollecting that her mamma would expect her at home, and that the birds in the baskets would be hungry, persuaded her brother to take up his little load and return. They therefore left the redbreasts enjoying the fruits of their bounty. When the happy birds had shared amongst them the kind present of their young benefactors, they hopped about in search of some moister food. Dicky had the good fortune to find four little worms together, but instead of calling his brother and sisters to partake of them, he devoured them all himself. "Are you not ashamed, you little greedy creature?" cried his father, who observed his selfish disposition. "What would you think of your brother and sisters were they to serve you so? In a family every individual ought to consult the welfare of the whole, instead of his own private satisfaction;