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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Story of a Robin, by Agnes S. Underwood
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Story of a Robin
+
+
+Author: Agnes S. Underwood
+
+
+
+Release Date: March 31, 2008  [eBook #24970]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF A ROBIN***
+
+
+E-text prepared by David Clarke, Suzan Flanagan, and the Project Gutenberg
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
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+
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF A ROBIN
+
+[Illustration: "_Two old robins were consulting._"
+
+                                          Page 9.]
+
+THE STORY OF A ROBIN
+
+[Illustration: A FEAST FOR A KING
+
+                       _Page 16_]
+
+T. Nelson and Sons
+London, Edinburgh, and New York
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF A ROBIN
+
+by
+
+AGNES S. UNDERWOOD
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+T. Nelson and Sons
+London, Edinburgh, and New York
+1898
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+     THE STORY OF A ROBIN,       9
+
+     APPLE-PIE ORDER,           40
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF A ROBIN.
+
+
+One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about
+breaking up their household. In other words, they thought the time
+had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find
+food for themselves. There were five little birds in that nice,
+warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so
+well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the
+best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the
+side with the pushing and struggling that went on. Then they were
+such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food
+to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin,
+and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the
+gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place
+to find food, and back with their mouths full.
+
+Cock Robin said to his wife,—
+
+"This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work
+all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look
+after themselves. We shall say we are going away for a holiday, as
+we require change of air, and they must go and find their own food.
+Don't look so sad, my dear; it is the way of the world. The same
+thing happened to us. I wonder what my father would have said had I
+screamed to him for food when I was the age my sons are?"
+
+Mrs. Robin listened dutifully to this long speech, and, like a
+good wife, acquiesced in what her husband said. But as she flew
+with him to tell the youngsters of the change awaiting them, her
+heart was a little sore on account of her latest hatched birdie. He
+was not so big or so strong as the others, and she feared he might
+be caught by a cat or die of cold. However, it was no use dwelling
+on these dismal ideas; he must just take his chance, as all birds
+before him had done. She would give him some good advice as to
+avoiding cats, and the proper drying of his feathers when they got
+wet, so that he should not get rheumatism in his bones.
+
+On reaching the nest, they found there had been a fierce fight
+among their children. All the five were out of the nest, and four
+of them were on the ground fluttering and screaming, each trying to
+tell its own story and throw the blame on its neighbour.
+
+"What is the meaning of this noise?" said Cock Robin.
+
+"Where is Robinette?" cried Mrs. Robin. "Has a cat or a weasel been
+here?"
+
+Chip, chip, chip was heard among the leaves close to the deserted
+home, and the mother flew up to see if her darling was all right,
+leaving the father of the family to settle matters with the others.
+Robinette was safe, and as he took the breakfast his mother had
+brought him, he told her what a fight there had been, and how he in
+the struggle had been pushed over the side. He also told her he
+could use his wings so well that he had been able to steady himself
+and keep from falling, until he found a branch that he could rest
+on comfortably. And there he had waited for his mother's return,
+knowing that she would bring him something good to eat.
+
+The poor mother was wondering how she was to tell her wee birdie
+that this was the last breakfast she would bring him, when he
+introduced the subject himself by saying he wished he had not to
+get back into that nest. Indeed he did not think he could do it,
+for his wings were so stretched with using them that he was sure
+they would never crumple up into so small a space as they used to
+occupy.
+
+"Seeing that your wings are grown, my son, your father has decided
+we must all fly away. Let us join him now, and hear what he is
+saying to your brothers and sisters. He is very angry about this
+quarrelling, which is out of all order, and quite contrary to the
+doctrine taught by Dr. Watts that 'Birds in their little nests
+agree;' and he does not like to think that his children are naughty
+beyond all others."
+
+Robinette obediently accompanied his mother to the ground, and
+Mrs. Robin was glad to see how cleverly he managed both legs and
+wings. They found Cock Robin still haranguing his unruly family;
+but on seeing his wife, he concluded his remarks thus,—
+
+"You are old enough and strong enough to do for yourselves, so off
+you go. Your mother and I will look after Robinette, and keep an
+eye on you for a day or two to see how you get on. I hope the
+gardener will be considerate enough to leave those worm-enticing
+carrots in the ground, for then there will be plenty of food for us
+all. Now good-bye."
+
+Cock Robin, having dismissed the four, turned to his wife and
+Robinette.
+
+"I hope, my dear, he was not hurt by his rough brothers and
+sisters?"
+
+"No," she replied, "he was not hurt; and I am now satisfied that
+his legs and wings are all they should be. As for his brains, he
+has more in his little head than all the others put together. I
+feel sure Robinette will have a history."
+
+Cock Robin put his head first to one side, then to the other, and
+gave a funny, chirrupy laugh.
+
+"Ah! you mother birds are all alike; you think your special
+nursling is sure to turn out the flower of the flock."
+
+"Let us fly away. There is an uncomfortable feeling about my
+feathers, plainly telling me there is a cat near us."
+
+At this moment there was a rustle among some leaves, and a
+beautiful tabby cat came into view close to where the birds were.
+Robinette got such a fright that he rose suddenly from the ground,
+and he seemed to go on rising, rising, until he was far away from
+his home in the rhododendron bush.
+
+In his pleasure at finding himself going along so easily up in the
+air he quite forgot the cat, and, alas! he forgot his parents too.
+He forgot everything but himself.
+
+"What a big place the world is!" thought he, as he sat on a branch
+of a large walnut-tree and looked round about him.
+
+He was rather tired, so he rested there a while. Then he remembered
+that he had no one to bring him his food now; he must look for it
+himself. So he spread his wings and let himself gently down to the
+ground, where he soon found some earth newly turned over, and there
+was a feast for a king. Oh, those thoughtless wire-worms playing in
+the sunshine, they little knew who was just going to pounce upon
+them!
+
+Robinette was now quite "on his own hook," as people who speak
+slang say. There was no one to consult as to what he should do; and
+though this freedom was enjoyable in the full daylight, he began
+to feel lonesome as evening drew on. He found a good supper where
+he had found his dinner, then crept into a nice, thick rose-bush,
+dropped a silent tear as he thought of his mother, and tucking his
+head under his wing, fell fast asleep.
+
+For some time Robinette's life was much the same day by day. He met
+with no accidents, and had no adventures. However, one morning he
+saw something new and strange. He was on his usual point of
+observation--the branch of the walnut-tree--when he saw the
+gardeners bringing a long seat and putting it against the trunk of
+his tree. Then a neat maid from the house brought cushions and
+rugs. Next came a lady, and seated herself comfortably among those
+cushions and rugs.
+
+"This must be 'the mistress' I hear the men speak about. She is
+evidently at home here, and looks as though she were some one of
+importance; but, poor thing, she seems lonely. I am lonely too. I
+don't care for the other birds in the garden; they are a common lot
+with no manners. I'll get acquainted with 'the mistress.' From what
+the men say, it is a wise thing to be on friendly terms with those
+in authority. I'll go down and speak to her."
+
+With this he flew down near to the lady's feet. She was reading
+_The Standard_ with close attention, and did not see the wee bird.
+
+"Chip, chip, chip," said Robinette--his way of saying
+"good-morning," you know.
+
+Down went the newspaper with a crackling noise that somewhat
+alarmed him, so he withdrew to what he thought a safe distance. He
+flew to a dahlia stake, and from there again addressed the lady.
+
+"Chip, chip, chip. Ah! she sees me now," he said to himself.
+
+The lady looked and saw him. He came near her, almost to her feet
+again. Robinette was very brave--whether from real courage or from
+ignorance is a disputed point.
+
+"What a very friendly bird! You seem quite tame."
+
+"I wonder what she means," thought the birdie. "Chip, chip, chip,"
+he said.
+
+"Come near, robin; I shall not hurt you. Sing me a song." And the
+lady made that curious, kissing sound with her lips that people
+always make when speaking to birds.
+
+Robinette thought she was very polite to sing to him on such a
+slight acquaintance; and not to be behind in his manners, he sang
+to her with his strange, twittering note. The two conversed and
+sang to each other for some little time, when another lady came
+under the tree.
+
+"Do look at that funny, little bird, Polly; it has been hopping
+about close to me, and seems very tame. We must bring some crumbs
+next time we come out.--Good-bye, Robin; but really you are so
+small that we shall call you Robinette."
+
+The ladies moved away, and the bird was left wondering what
+"crumbs" were like.
+
+For some days after this the rain came down so fast that poor
+Robinette had much ado to keep himself dry. He cowered under his
+rose-bush or kept close to the thick hedge; but all the places got
+so very wet that the poor wee birdie thought life was not worth
+living. However, just as he was in the depths of despair, out came
+the sun from behind the clouds, and soon all nature was rejoicing
+again. The two ladies came out from the house to breathe the
+perfume-laden air and to enjoy the sounds of reviving nature.
+Robinette was so glad to see them that he flew quite close to them,
+saying in his own way, "Good-day to you--chip, chip, chip."
+
+"There is Robinette, I declare," said Polly; "how wet and draggled
+he looks, poor birdie! He needs the sun to dry his wings."
+
+The next day was all that could be wished in the way of heat and
+bright sunshine, so the ladies came to the garden seat. Robinette
+was looking out for them, and could scarcely wait for the older
+lady to be settled among the cushions and wrapped up in the rugs by
+her daughter. There are treacherous draughts under trees, and Polly
+was very careful of her mother. At last all arrangements were
+complete, and Mrs. Lewis opened her book to read. Suddenly
+Robinette flew on to it, quite startling her by such an approach.
+But she was charmed with his trusting familiarity, and at once
+asked Polly for the crumbs she had brought out. Polly produced them
+from her useful apron pocket, and threw some gently on the grass
+at her feet, and Robinette was soon eating the finest feast he had
+ever had.
+
+You may be sure, after having eaten these good things, Robinette
+was always watching for the ladies, and he hopped beside them and
+sang to them as they walked or worked in the garden. He was soon
+tame enough to eat from their hands, and Polly, looking upon him as
+a great curiosity, wished to show him off to some gentlemen
+friends. But Robinette obstinately refused to be made a spectacle
+of. Not the most enticing crumbs would bring him to her hands if
+strangers were near, particularly of the male sex. He had no faith
+in men.
+
+As the summer days passed away, and autumn came and went, the days
+became shorter and colder, and Robinette found his way into the
+house, and soon was as much at home there as in the garden. He
+made friends with the cook in the kitchen, and had many a rich meal
+when she was preparing the family dinner. He knew all the
+meal-times. He came in by the morning-room window in time for
+breakfast. But there he ran some risks. He sometimes encountered
+the table-maid, who was very cross with him; and perhaps not
+without reason, for he was not particular to wipe his feet before
+flying on to the clean white table-cloth, and often left the marks
+of his claws all over it; so she feared her mistress would insist
+on her changing the cloth. As this young woman especially disliked
+extra work, she used to frighten Robinette nearly out of his senses
+by shaking her duster at him and pretending to catch him.
+
+Whenever the ladies came downstairs he was quite safe. They let him
+do what he liked. He tasted the bacon, he feasted on butter, he
+burned his toes on the tea-pot--in fact, he did whatever came into
+his little head. At lunch he again presented himself, and he came
+to the drawing-room for afternoon tea.
+
+With all this high living he became a big, fat bird, and I am sorry
+to say he was very selfish and very jealous. He could not endure
+the thought of any other bird sharing his privileges, as the
+following incident proves.
+
+One morning after breakfast he heard a noise in the hall.
+
+"Whoever is Polly speaking to? It must be another bird," said he to
+himself. "That is the way she speaks to me. I must see to this. If
+it is another robin, I shall be the death of him."
+
+He ruffled up his feathers and flew into the hall, prepared to do
+battle with any intruder. He was very angry to hear Polly speak in
+such petting tones to any bird but himself, and he was tempted to
+give her ear a bite as he sat on her shoulder. He found he had put
+himself in a rage very needlessly. It was not another robin, but a
+little wren.
+
+"Oh!" he thought, "I wonder what she wants.--Good-day, Miss Wren;
+are you coming to live here?"
+
+"I was thinking of it," she replied, tossing her head; "but I don't
+think the society is very select."
+
+As she made this speech, she gave it point by looking straight at
+Robinette.
+
+"Indeed," he said, "you are rather a small person to have formed
+such a large opinion; but as you are so small, you are welcome to
+stay as long as you do not interfere with me."
+
+"Thank you for nothing, Cock Robin. I shall stay or I shall go
+without asking your leave."
+
+"You are a very rude bird, Jenny Wren."
+
+"Am I, Cock Robin? There are various opinions about that. What a
+great, fat, clumsy bird you are, to be sure! I would not have you
+for a husband though there were not another bird in the garden."
+
+"You will perhaps wait until you are asked, Miss Wren," replied
+Robinette, feeling he had better retire from the argument after
+this retort, for Jenny, like all females, would try to have the
+last word.
+
+Polly had been watching the birds fluttering towards each other,
+and was a little fearful Robinette might be rough with Jenny, so
+she was glad to see them part company after simply speaking, as she
+thought.
+
+This is the only incident worth mentioning that occurred during the
+winter months. Robinette's life was happy and comfortable. Free to
+come and go as he pleased, he always felt himself a guest--never a
+prisoner.
+
+At last winter was over, and the garden was beginning to have more
+attractions. There were some rather pretty Miss Robins flying
+about, and our bird thought he must go a-courting. He could not
+easily make up his mind whether he should bring a wife into the
+house, or whether he should go and live in the garden with her.
+Finally he decided on the latter plan.
+
+One very fine morning he dressed his feathers most carefully, saw
+that each one was lying exactly over the other, that his brown coat
+was perfect and his red waist-coat faultless. He practised his
+singing until his love-song was all he could wish it. He was
+wonderfully well satisfied with himself; but Jenny Wren's
+impertinent speeches would recur to his mind. The words fat and
+clumsy had especially annoyed him, and he never could altogether
+rid himself of their effect.
+
+As he flew past the greenhouse he saw a bucket with pure, clear
+water in it. He thought he would rest on the edge and take a drink.
+Imagine his delight when he saw reflected in the water a perfectly
+beautiful cock robin, as charming a bird as any one could desire to
+see. After such a vision, what cared he for Jenny Wren and her
+impudence? Away he went, flying up and down the garden, quite sure
+that no Miss Robin in her senses would say "no" to him.
+
+He rested a while on the branch of an apple-tree, while he
+meditated on the various Miss Robins, and considered to which he
+should pay his addresses. He was startled by a slight movement of
+some leaves just beneath him, and on looking down to find the
+cause, he saw his too candid friend Jenny.
+
+"So you are come out a-courting?" said she. "You are not a bit
+thinner. Which of the Miss Robins do you think will have you--a
+fat, over-fed house-bird?"
+
+"You are quite mistaken, Miss Wren, if you think I am out for any
+such purpose. I am only taking an airing this fine day. A-courting,
+indeed! A bird like you would frighten any bachelor. I am sorry for
+your husband, if you ever get one."
+
+Away he flew, for he did not like Miss Wren's remarks. You see, he
+had not mixed much with other birds, so he had not, as it were,
+found his level. He was in danger of thinking too much or too
+little of himself; and then, you perceive, he was thin-skinned.
+
+Poor birdie! That pert young Jenny had put his spirits down to his
+very toes. Had it not been for the glimpse he got in the bucket, he
+would have returned to the house discouraged for that day. However,
+like many other creatures, he did not know what the near future
+had in store for him.
+
+The time of day was noon, and he bethought him the kitchen dinner
+would be ready; so he prepared to fly towards the house, as he was
+very hungry. Just at this moment he caught sight of the gardener
+turning over some stuff for a hot-bed, and he also saw some fine,
+fat worms thrown to the surface by the fork. He concluded to dine
+there that day, and proceeded to make a very satisfactory meal. He
+had with some difficulty swallowed a very large worm, when he heard
+the gardener say, "Hush! gently; now we shall see some fun."
+Robinette looked up. He saw, and he loved. The daintiest Miss Robin
+in all the garden was hopping towards him. Alas! beside her was a
+fine cock robin, and they seemed on the pleasantest terms with each
+other, and hopped along, quite unaware of Robinette's presence. To
+be ignored was what he could not stand. So he came near to them,
+made a deep bow to the lady, and ruffled his feathers and scowled
+at his rival. A fierce rage and jealousy took possession of him. He
+would kill this bird or die in the fight. The other cock robin was
+as eager for the fray as he was; so these two little birds were
+soon fighting savagely for the lady of their choice. She watched
+the duel from a twig close by. She had made up her mind to marry
+the winner, and it did not seem to matter much which that was. Both
+were handsome; and the victor would prove himself the stronger. The
+birds were very equally matched, and fought for some time with
+varying fortune. At last, however, Robinette was conqueror, and he
+flew at once to the lady and claimed her as his bride. He knew he
+now had a right to her; but just in case her mind should waver
+towards another, he placed before her the advantages of an
+alliance with him, the chief one being that he could get as much
+food as ever they could eat, with very little trouble, and the food
+was of the most rare and nourishing kind.
+
+"I can get some for you now, for I see my friends in the garden,
+and Polly is sure to have crumbs in her pocket. Wait here until I
+come back."
+
+The ladies had come out for a stroll in the garden. What a garden
+that was! At almost any season it was beautiful, but in the summer
+it was a paradise alike for birds and human beings. It was
+surrounded by grand old trees of many kinds and flowering shrubs as
+large as trees. Then the wealth of roses and sweet-scented,
+old-fashioned flowers of all sorts, mixed here and there with their
+more modern sisters, made it a perfect dream of delight. How the
+town-wearied friends rejoiced when they were bidden to visit that
+garden! There their eyes were refreshed by the softly-blended
+colouring and exquisite beauty of the whole scene. They breathed in
+the delicious air, and thought it better than wine as a restorer of
+strength. No words can describe the feeling to the feet of those
+soft, green avenues--the grass so short that the most delicate
+could walk there without harm, and so smooth that a child's bare
+foot could run there scathless. That garden is now to those dear
+friends a place in their memory only. The ladies have passed away
+from it, and strangers are in possession.
+
+Excuse this digression.
+
+Robinette flew to Polly's hand.
+
+"So here you are, Bobbie. We wondered what had become of you, as
+you did not come in at lunch-time. Don't fill your mouth so full;
+you will choke yourself. Oh! he is off."
+
+Polly had held the crumbs for him as usual, and he just stuffed his
+mouth full and flew in the direction of the greenhouse.
+
+"Mother, Robinette must have a lady-love. He has taken the crumbs
+away; he did not swallow them."
+
+Mrs. Robinette was charmed with the crumbs--that kind of food
+suited her taste exactly; and she hoped her husband would keep her
+well supplied with them when she was too much occupied with other
+matters to seek food for herself. Robinette gallantly promised to
+do his best for her.
+
+Now it was time to seek a place for their nest, and begin building.
+Like most young people under similar circumstances, they were
+difficult to please. Robinette, having been so much accustomed to a
+house, thought the greenhouse the best place; Mrs. Robinette,
+knowing nothing about houses, thought a nice, thick bush much
+superior. She, like a good wife, gave in to her husband, and
+allowed him to choose the site for their nest. He selected a nice,
+quiet corner of the greenhouse, beside some large flower-pots that
+looked as if they had not been disturbed for a century. Here they
+would be safe from storms and cats and all creatures which terrify
+small birds. As evening was drawing on, our little lovers parted,
+having appointed a place to meet next morning at sunrise to begin
+to build their nest.
+
+The following day the sun rose bright and beautiful, making all
+things and creatures rejoice, and none more than our two little
+birds, who were soon as busy as possible, finding and bringing the
+materials necessary for their purpose.
+
+They had such a happy time building that nest; he was so gallant
+and she was so sweet. How he sang to her when she was tired, and
+what delicious crumbs he brought her! Some shortbread had been
+sent to Polly as a present, and it is such a crumbling cake that
+the birds feasted royally while it lasted.
+
+At last the nest was finished. The little builders looked it all
+over and could find no fault with it. As they were rather exhausted
+with their hard work, they agreed to rest themselves a while near
+the hot-bed where the memorable fight had taken place. There they
+could find plenty of worms without fatigue, and they would sleep or
+chat as they felt disposed. When they were sufficiently rested,
+they went back to look at their pretty, new house. Alas! alas! what
+desolation they found! The gardener, who had been cleaning his
+greenhouse, had moved the big, dirty flower-pots, and had thrown
+out the robins' nest. Poor, tired birds, they had to begin all over
+again. Mrs. Robinette burst into tears, saying,—
+
+"I told you not to choose a house to build in; I was sure a bush
+would have been safer. Do, dear husband, come away now to some
+other place; I do not like the men."
+
+Robinette was very angry at his work being spoiled, and he answered
+a little sharply,—
+
+"Nonsense, my dear; I am not going to be driven out of my way by a
+stupid old gardener. We shall build here again. Let us set to work
+at once; and if that man interferes I shall tell the mistress.
+Hallo! here is a piece of good-luck for us; he has only thrown it
+down here. To be sure, it is torn to pieces. But never mind; we
+shall soon have it up again."
+
+You see Robinette had a temper; but he was a cheery wee bird,
+inclined to make the best of things. When his anger had cooled, he
+chirped to his down-hearted little wife so brightly that she was
+obliged to pluck up spirit, and they were soon as merry as before
+the terrible misfortune.
+
+A few days after these events Mrs. Lewis came into her greenhouse,
+and seeing it look so much brighter and lighter than usual, she
+said to the gardener,—
+
+"You must acknowledge that the house looks better for being clean.
+Try to keep it so."
+
+"I'll try, ma'am; but it is not much use when these mischievous
+birds come in, bringing their stuff to build with. Just look there.
+I threw away a nest from that very spot three days ago, and there
+is another. And there is a robin in it."
+
+"It is Robinette," cried Polly. "I am sure it is.--Bobbie, come for
+crumbs."
+
+Robinette, sly bird, had been watching and listening; and when he
+saw that attention was drawn to the nest, he sat down in it as
+though he were the lady on her eggs, knowing well "the mistress"
+would give orders that he was not to be disturbed. And when she
+saw it was her own pet robin, of course she was more decided, and
+told the gardener he was on no account to take down the nest, and
+every possible arrangement was to be made for the comfort and
+happiness of Robinette and his wife.
+
+It is customary to close all stories when the hero marries. So,
+having come to the end of Robinette's bachelor days, we shall take
+leave of him and his bride, hoping that, now they are married, they
+will "live happy ever after."
+
+
+
+
+APPLE-PIE ORDER.
+
+
+What a bright, sunshiny forenoon! and how green the meadow looked
+before Simon Copland's farm! The thrush in the great thorn was
+singing loudly, and the old clock, which stood in its dark oak case
+in the corner of the kitchen, struck twelve as little Phœbe came
+into the porch.
+
+This little girl, though, whose face was so sad, and whose
+straw-hat hung so droopingly from her arm, was not like the Phœbe
+of most days, who, on her return from school about this hour, came
+popping her happy little face in at the door, and if dinner were
+ready, would eat hers quickly, and be off again.
+
+The kitchen at Simon Copland's was a long, large room, and had
+great beams across the ceiling, from which hung hams and other good
+things. Mrs. Copland was busy at the table, and near one of the
+windows sat her brother, Phœbe's uncle, Roger, who lived some miles
+away at pretty Lady's Mead, and who was very dear to his little
+niece. To him, however, she had no mind to go at present, and would
+have slipped upstairs; but he quickly spied out the little figure
+in the doorway, and opened his arms to her, saying, "Here's the
+little lass; give thy Uncle Rogie a kiss, Phœbe." There was no
+escape for Phœbe, and in a minute more she was on her uncle's knee,
+while his large forefinger was placed on the marks of tears on her
+cheeks, and his kind inquiring eyes asked as well as his words,
+"Phœbe, my lass, what ails thee?"
+
+Her mother turned round from the table. "What is it, Phœbe?" she
+said.
+
+And then came a burst of tears from the little girl, and a
+confession, poured into Uncle Roger's ear, of misfortunes that day,
+and many days before, at Mrs. Nott's school in the village; how
+diligently Phœbe had always prepared her lessons overnight, but how
+first one book was lost, and then another; and how to-day, because
+the pencil had been carelessly fastened to the slate, it too had
+disappeared, and was not there when wanted, and in consequence
+Margaret Prettyman had got above her--sly Margaret Prettyman, who
+often did not learn her lessons at all, but kept her place at the
+head of the class by writing down her task on a slip of paper, and
+keeping it in her hand while she repeated it; and how Mrs. Nott
+had said that Margaret was so tidy and Phœbe so careless; and how
+she reproved the latter when the class was over, and told her that,
+unless girls were tidy and careful, all their learning was of no
+use. "Every girl ought to keep herself and her things in apple-pie
+order," Mrs. Nott said. "And, O uncle," sobbed Phœbe, "I know I'm
+careless, but I never can remember to be tidy; and I can't keep
+apple-pie order, for I don't know what it is." And so, with many
+more tears, Phœbe's confession ended.
+
+"Well, child," said her mother, "it's as I've often told you. Your
+drawer is a shame to be seen; and I'm glad Mrs. Nott spoke to you
+as she did."
+
+Uncle Roger stroked his chin, and sat looking out through the
+window for a little, saying nothing, till Phœbe's sobs grew less
+frequent, and at last almost ceased. He then reached his hand
+through the open lattice, and pulling a little flower from among
+the creepers, gently raised Phœbe's face, saying,—
+
+"Look thee here, little niece; mark this small, pretty flower, with
+its white blossoms so perfect and tidy; look at the stalk below,
+and each little leaf upon it, regular, one after the other. There
+isn't one part of this pretty flower out of its place, Phœbe; and
+who made it?"
+
+Phœbe's sobs ceased altogether as she replied, "God, uncle."
+
+"And look there," Uncle Roger went on, drawing towards him as he
+spoke a large china dish, on which lay a beautiful honeycomb, which
+Mrs. Copland had set aside for a sick friend--"look at this too.
+See each cell, and each of these beautiful little arches; there is
+not one unlike its neighbour. What do you think of order like that,
+niece Phœbe? isn't it perfect?"
+
+"Yes, uncle," she whispered, quieted and wondering.
+
+"Well, little lass, our God, who made the pretty flower, and caused
+the bees to make the sweet honeycomb, is a God of order, and He
+loves order. He does not wish my little Phœbe to be the untidy
+little maid she is."
+
+Phœbe lay quiet for a few minutes, thinking to herself how kindly
+Uncle Roger always spoke to her, and how much easier it was to
+"feel good" with him than with Mrs. Nott or Margaret Prettyman.
+"But what did Mrs. Nott mean by 'apple-pie order,' uncle?" she said
+after a little, looking up in her uncle's face.
+
+Uncle Roger smiled and smoothed her hair, not saying anything for a
+moment or two; then, instead of answering her question, he asked,
+"When is your birthday, Phœbe?"
+
+"The twenty-sixth of next month," she replied quickly, and
+wondering very much.
+
+"Do you remember," continued Uncle Roger, "the custard feast I gave
+you last birthday? I've been asking your mother here to bring you
+over this year too to Lady's Mead, and I'll give you another feast,
+and father, and mother, and Bob, and little Charlie; and we'll have
+Uncle and Aunt Leyton, and little Mary-Anne to keep you company;
+and then, Niece Phœbe, I'm thinking of showing you by that time
+what apple-pie order is. Don't you know how good Uncle Roger's
+apple-pies are?"
+
+"O uncle!" cried Phœbe, clasping him closely round the neck; "how
+good you are to me, Uncle Roger--custards and apple-pies, and
+Cousin Mary-Anne!"
+
+"Fair and softly," said her uncle, loosening her hold. "You haven't
+heard it all yet, Phœbe. It is nearly a month till that, you know.
+Well, you must promise me that every day of that month you will
+please your mother by keeping your drawer, or whatever it is, as
+tidy as a nut; and I must have from Mrs. Nott a good account of
+your order and neatness. Mind, _every day_; no books lost, no
+pencils falling off, else no apple-pies for you, Niece Phœbe."
+
+Phœbe's face fell. "O uncle!" she said.
+
+Her mother looked round again. "Roger, you spoil the child," she
+exclaimed.
+
+"Not if I teach her order, Sister Marjory," was his reply.
+
+"I'll _try_, uncle," whispered Phœbe; and Uncle Roger kissed her.
+
+You all know the difference well, I don't doubt, betwixt _trying_
+and _doing_--how easy it seems to perform a promise at first, when
+resolves are fresh and strong, but how each day takes, as it were,
+a little bit of strength out of the wish to do the disagreeable
+duty. Little Phœbe was truly anxious to overcome her bad habit; and
+I can also say that, though apple-pies and custards, and her dear
+little cousin Mary-Anne's company, had at first given her an
+inducement to do so, yet after a little that part of it became very
+faint indeed in comparison with the wish to succeed in fulfilling
+her promise to Uncle Roger.
+
+Difficult enough the task was; and sometimes Phœbe felt as if the
+month would never pass. But the days went on somehow, and Mrs.
+Copland was much amused, and secretly much pleased, to see the
+important air with which her little daughter would retire daily to
+her small bedroom, next her father and mother's, and after a great
+deal of knocking about and noise overhead, would run downstairs,
+and coming to Mrs. Copland, say, "Please, mother, come and look at
+my drawer. I'm sure it's tidy."
+
+After a little time had passed, Mrs. Copland explained to her
+daughter the secret of true order; which is, not to keep things
+untidy, and to have constantly to _put them to rights_, but to
+_keep them right_--to put everything in its own place _at once_.
+This was a new part to learn in Phœbe's lesson, but she tried it,
+and heartily too; and things were going on in this way when, just
+two days before the month was over, there came a sad misfortune to
+her, which took away the hopes of apple-pies and other things which
+her birthday was to bring her.
+
+All this time she had been going regularly to Mrs. Nott's school,
+and the schoolmistress was much surprised at the change in her
+careless little pupil. Her companions, too, could not tell what
+had come to Phœbe Copland; and as for sly Margaret Prettyman, she
+was filled with dislike and envy of her little rival; for Phœbe,
+having put aside her careless habits, took her place as first in
+the class, and Margaret had been first till now.
+
+On this particular afternoon Mrs. Nott had given her girls an
+additional task to learn; and Phœbe, having a quarter of an hour to
+spare, sat down, as was her habit sometimes, to look over the
+lesson before leaving school. She was putting up her books, when
+one of the other girls, Esther Heywood, came to her with a message
+from her (Esther's) mother, asking Phœbe to step down to the Mill
+Farm, where the Heywoods lived. They had got a jar of fine
+citron-preserves, which the sailor son, Jem, had brought from
+across the seas to his mother; and she was going to send some over
+to Mrs. Copland to taste.
+
+"You might leave your books here," said Esther, "and I'll walk
+back a bit with you. We'll get them when we come."
+
+The citron-preserves were very, very good, and Phœbe was kept a
+little while at the Mill Farm to taste them, and to hear the
+wonderful things which Jem Heywood had to tell about the parrots
+and the beautiful birds in the countries where he had been; and
+then Phœbe started on her way home over the fields, and Esther with
+her. Sailor Jem said he'd "go a bit too with the girls," to see
+them "under way," as he called it; and it ended by Esther and Jem
+going the whole way with her, to carry her books, which they got as
+they passed the school-house.
+
+All the evening Jem was telling them such funny stories that she
+could not attend to her lessons, but went to bed quite tired with
+laughing, and dreamed that she was a parrot, and that Jem Heywood
+was teaching her tasks off by heart.
+
+Next morning, with the sunshine, up jumped Phœbe, to learn her
+lessons before going to school. She felt very happy. The next day
+but one was her birthday; and next day itself Uncle Roger would be
+over from Lady's Mead, she knew, and then she would tell him how
+faithfully she had kept her promise; and how pleased and kind he
+would look--she could fancy she saw his face so well. And singing a
+little song to herself, Phœbe sat down at her bedroom window,
+opening her books out before her on her knee. But there were only
+three books there, and she ought to have _four_.
+
+How Phœbe sought for that book--through all her drawers and her
+little room, then through the house, and lastly, down all the lane,
+and by every step of the path through the fields which they had
+crossed the evening before! Oh, what a weary search that was, and
+what a sad story to tell her mother, when, _without_ the book,
+Phœbe returned.
+
+If Mrs. Copland looked so vexed, what would Uncle Roger be? And
+then all the happy birthday pleasures which she had lost! She would
+have to dine with little Charlie, she knew, and to feel as if in
+disgrace all day; and in disgrace even Lady's Mead itself could
+bring her no pleasure. Poor little Phœbe!
+
+Her mother would not allow her to stay at home from school, but
+said she must tell Mrs. Nott the plain truth, and, if she had time
+before the class began, learn the lesson from some of the other
+girls' books. Fortunately, the missing task was that which Phœbe
+had learned before leaving the school the day before; but, owing to
+her haste and agitation, it was so incorrectly repeated that
+Margaret Prettyman again triumphantly took her place at the head of
+the class. It was hard enough to see Margaret's malicious face as
+she pushed past, and Phœbe had much trouble in choking down her
+temper and her tears at the same time.
+
+The next day Esther Heywood came to meet her with a very sorrowful
+face, and told her that Jem had been "all up the fields" the
+evening before, searching the path they had gone by, and that he
+had looked into every nook and corner he could think of, but he
+could not see the book anywhere. His opinion was, though, that
+Uncle Roger would never keep to his word; that he would never
+disappoint Phœbe on her birthday for such a trifle.
+
+Phœbe shook her head. "Uncle Roger always keeps his word," she
+said. "I'll be in disgrace, I know, though perhaps I'll go to
+Lady's Mead all the same; but that will be quite as bad as not
+going at all."
+
+Hardest of all it was when Uncle Roger came over that afternoon.
+Mrs. Copland had to tell him the story, for Phœbe was so drowned
+in tears that she could not speak a word. Uncle Roger looked grave
+when he heard how it was, but soothed his weeping little niece
+kindly, and gave her no reproof. He spoke little or nothing about
+the following day, only saying, while stroking her hair as usual,
+"Well, my little maid, we must stick to our bargain. Apple-pie
+order must wait till next year, I fancy; but come over all the
+same, and welcome, to Lady's Mead. You and Mary-Anne can have your
+romp together; and you must forget it's your own birthday, that's
+all. I'm just about as much pleased with you for your last month's
+doings as if all your books were safe in your bag, mind you that;
+and now wipe your tears, my little lass."
+
+The next morning rose as bright and beautiful as you could well
+wish to see, and Phœbe, seated by her father behind the old grey
+horse Robin, with her mother and Charlie in the back seat, almost
+forgot her sorrows while driving down the sweet, shady lanes in all
+their beautiful autumn colours, and while looking forward to Lady's
+Mead, and the delight of seeing her dear little cousin Mary-Anne.
+
+Lady's Mead was such a pretty place, with a very large orchard full
+of rosy-cheeked apples; and there was a dairy, large, and cool, and
+sweet, with great bowls of delicious milk, and such a beautifully
+white, clean floor. Out of doors there was a swing, and a pretty
+mossy summer-house down by the stream, and such delightful little
+paths through clipped yew hedges, and an old sun-dial on the grass,
+and in one corner a stone figure of a little boy kneeling, with his
+hands clasped and his face looking up to heaven. It was altogether
+such a place as children did not weary of; and had it not been for
+little Phœbe's late troubles, she would have been as joyous as the
+birds which were singing in the trees all round them.
+
+There were many "rubs" to bear, though; first, the meeting with her
+uncle and aunt and Mary-Anne, and receiving from them no happy
+birthday wishes as usual; and then seeing her brother Bob's
+disappointed face when he came over from the county town where he
+was serving his apprenticeship, bringing with him a nice little
+parcel, which looked very like a doll, wrapped up in thin brown
+paper, and stowed away in one of his pockets for his little sister.
+The parcel was not taken out, however.
+
+Cousin Mary-Anne, who was a dear, good little girl, no sooner heard
+that Phœbe was to dine at a side-table with little Charlie, instead
+of the treat of sitting at the great long one with the older
+people, than she declared that she would do so too; and though
+Phœbe would not listen to this at first, yet Mary-Anne would have
+it so, and it was accordingly settled. She proved herself, too,
+such a good little comforter and companion, that Phœbe became quite
+cheerful again, though perhaps their play was not quite so merry as
+usual.
+
+First they went to the poultry-yard, where there was a brood of
+very fine little ducklings, just hatched, to see. Then to the
+dairy, where they both were allowed to pat away at the butter and
+make it up for tea. Then Matty, the dairy-maid, said that she must
+leave the dairy, and that they must go too; so they sauntered away
+down by the stream to the pretty summer-house. They were glad to
+get there, because of the shade, for the sun was hot, and they were
+tired with butter-making. So for some little time they sat
+resting, and making boats of the large leaves, to float down the
+stream.
+
+By-and-by they heard a step coming quickly down the path towards
+them, and directly afterwards Bob came hurrying into the
+summer-house, saying, "Phœbe, come along; Uncle Roger's seeking
+you.--And you, Mary-Anne, if you like, you little duck;" and with
+that Bob gave a loud "hurrah," which made both the girls spring to
+their feet in astonishment.
+
+"But why, Bob?" asked Phœbe excitedly, as he hurried them along,
+one in each hand, as fast as they could go up the path.
+
+"Never you mind," said Bob--"you'll soon know;" and then he gave
+another "hurrah" and jumped like a madman.
+
+On they rushed, through the orchard, round the yew hedge, and so
+past the old dial, and over the grass, on to the house. At the
+window, which was a very large one, Phœbe saw quite a crowd; for
+they were all collected there, and amongst them, to her
+astonishment, stood tall Jem Heywood. When she and Bob and
+Mary-Anne came in sight, he set up a cheer, in which little Charlie
+joined lustily; and Phœbe turned first red and then pale, and at
+last stopped altogether in fright and bewilderment, dragging the
+two others back with her. Then her father's face looked out and
+smiled to her, and then her mother's and Aunt Leyton's; and then
+out came Uncle Roger, and Phœbe was lifted on his shoulder, and
+carried through the midst of the smiling faces to where the dinner
+was laid out.
+
+There she saw a little bower of green branches over a chair at
+Uncle Roger's right hand, at the end of the table; and on this
+chair, under the boughs, Uncle Roger set her down, while before her
+rose the most enormous apple-pie you can imagine! Instead of crust,
+which it looked like, its cover was of china-ware; and Uncle Roger
+raised it in his hand when every one had sat down all round the
+table, and there--what do you think? Phœbe saw the wonderful pie
+filled, not with apples, but with beautiful birthday gifts--Bob's
+doll, dressed all in pink ribbons and lace; a little straw-hat,
+trimmed with bright blue ribbons, from Aunt Leyton; a pretty china
+cottage, covered with roses, from Mary-Anne; a beautiful little
+work-box, lined with red silk, and filled with every pretty, useful
+thing for sewing, and also a crown-piece in it, from her father and
+mother; and better than all these, a small Bible, beautifully bound
+in purple velvet, with gold clasps, from Uncle Roger; and beside
+this lay _another book_, and with a cry of surprise Phœbe saw
+before her, torn and stained, her own lost lesson-book! What a
+cheer rose up all round the table! And sailor Jem cheered louder
+than any one. But all this joy was too much for poor Phœbe, and she
+fell a-crying on Uncle Roger's shoulder.
+
+If any of you wish to know how the lost book was found again, I
+must tell you what Jem Heywood said about it, though it won't be in
+his own words.
+
+He had been down the evening before at Mrs. Prettyman's (Margaret's
+mother), and one of the little ones having come toddling into the
+room, Jem had lifted it on his knee, taking as he did so a crushed,
+torn book out of its hand. On the fly-leaf, though almost torn
+away, Jem read, to his surprise, the first letters of Phœbe's name.
+The child said it had got the book "in Maggie's bag." Then Margaret
+came in herself, and Jem asked her what was the meaning of this.
+Her angry, guilty face and confused replies immediately roused his
+suspicions; and on going home he took care to let his sister
+Esther know all he had seen and heard. The truth was soon found
+out. It was Margaret who had done this spiteful thing, to bring
+disgrace upon Phœbe.
+
+Can you all picture to yourselves Phœbe's joy on this happy
+evening? How grateful she was to Jem Heywood, and how the hours
+flew away, supper-time coming before the games seemed half done!
+Phœbe found time, though, for a long, happy talk with Uncle Roger;
+and it was then she told him how she had made up her mind not to
+quarrel with Margaret because of all this, but to try, if possible,
+to be better friends than before; for she now saw, she said, that
+their quarrelling had brought all this about.
+
+I may as well add here, as some of you may wish to know, that
+Phœbe's resolution had its own reward, for her change of conduct
+seemed to bring about a change in Margaret's too. Of course this
+took some time, for bad feelings cannot be rooted up all at once.
+But as the months passed on, every one could see a great
+improvement in Margaret. Little beginnings often bring much greater
+endings; and Margaret could look back afterwards to this time with
+feelings of gratitude for the lesson which had been taught her by
+means of one forgiving little heart.
+
+On this birthday night Uncle Roger was much pleased to hear Phœbe
+speak as she did; and her happiness was quite full when, drawing
+her on his knee, he added, "And my little Phœbe has shown me that,
+with God's help, she has learned the meaning of 'APPLE-PIE ORDER.'"
+
+
+
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+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Story of a Robin, by Agnes S. Underwood</h1>
+<pre>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: The Story of a Robin</p>
+<p>Author: Agnes S. Underwood</p>
+<p>Release Date: March 31, 2008  [eBook #24970]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF A ROBIN***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3>E-text prepared by David Clarke, Suzan Flanagan,<br />
+    and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
+    (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;">
+<img src="images/frontctn.png" width="300" height="422" alt="Front cover" title="Front cover" />
+</div>
+<hr />
+<div class="pad"><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p>
+<h1>THE STORY OF A ROBIN</h1></div>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;">
+<img src="images/frontistn.png" width="300" height="452" alt="&ldquo;Two old robins were consulting.&rdquo;
+Page 9." title="&ldquo;Two old robins were consulting.&rdquo;
+Page 9." /></div>
+
+<table width="300" summary="caption text">
+<tr><td align="center"><span class="caption"><i>&ldquo;Two old robins were consulting.&rdquo;</i></span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><span class="caption2"><a href="#Page_9">Page 9.</a></span></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p>
+
+<p class="fmh2">THE</p>
+
+<p class="fmh"><span class="smcap">Story of a Robin</span></p>
+<div class="pad2">
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;">
+<img src="images/ill-tptn.png" width="300" height="218" alt="A FEAST FOR A KING Page 16" title="A FEAST FOR A KING
+Page 16" /></div>
+<table width="300" summary="caption text">
+<tr><td align="center"><span class="caption">A FEAST FOR A KING</span></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><span class="caption2"><a href="#Page_16"><i>Page 16</i></a></span></td></tr>
+</table>
+</div>
+<p class="fmh2"><span class="smcap">T. Nelson and Sons</span></p>
+
+<p class="fm"><i>London, Edinburgh, and New York</i></p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p>
+<p class="fmh2">THE</p>
+
+<p class="fm2">STORY OF A ROBIN</p>
+
+<p class="fm4">BY</p>
+
+<p class="fmh2">AGNES S. UNDERWOOD</p>
+<div class="pad">
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/logotn.png" width="100" height="39" alt="decoration" title="decoration" />
+</div>
+</div>
+
+<p class="fmh2">T. NELSON AND SONS</p>
+
+<p class="fm3"><i>London, Edinburgh, and New York</i></p>
+<hr class="fm" />
+<p class="fm3">1898</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+<div class="toc">
+<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="TABLE OF CONTENTS">
+<col style="width:80%" />
+<col style="width:20%" />
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_STORY_OF_A_ROBIN">THE STORY OF A ROBIN,</a></td><td align="right">9</td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#APPLE-PIE_ORDER">APPLE-PIE ORDER,</a></td><td align="right">40</td></tr>
+</table>
+</div>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_A_ROBIN" id="THE_STORY_OF_A_ROBIN"></a>THE STORY OF A ROBIN.</h2>
+
+
+<p>One fine summer morning two old
+robins were consulting about breaking
+up their household. In other words,
+they thought the time had come when
+their young ones should turn out of the
+nest and find food for themselves. There
+were five little birds in that nice, warm
+nest, but it was much too small for them
+now that they were so well feathered; and
+as they quarrelled terribly about getting
+the best place, the weakest one was in
+danger of being tumbled over the side
+with the pushing and struggling that went
+on. Then they were such hungry birds<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>
+that their parents could not find enough
+of food to satisfy them, and the poor old
+birds were getting quite thin, and were
+tired flying from their nest to the plot
+where the gardener was raising some early
+potatoes, which was the best place to find
+food, and back with their mouths full.</p>
+
+<p>Cock Robin said to his wife,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;This is going to be a very warm day,
+and I am not going to work all through
+the sunshiny hours feeding birds old
+enough to look after themselves. We
+shall say we are going away for a holiday,
+as we require change of air, and they
+must go and find their own food. Don&rsquo;t
+look so sad, my dear; it is the way of the
+world. The same thing happened to us.
+I wonder what my father would have said
+had I screamed to him for food when I
+was the age my sons are?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Robin listened dutifully to this
+long speech, and, like a good wife, acquiesced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>
+in what her husband said. But as
+she flew with him to tell the youngsters of
+the change awaiting them, her heart was
+a little sore on account of her latest
+hatched birdie. He was not so big or so
+strong as the others, and she feared he
+might be caught by a cat or die of cold.
+However, it was no use dwelling on these
+dismal ideas; he must just take his chance,
+as all birds before him had done. She
+would give him some good advice as to
+avoiding cats, and the proper drying of
+his feathers when they got wet, so that
+he should not get rheumatism in his bones.</p>
+
+<p>On reaching the nest, they found there
+had been a fierce fight among their children.
+All the five were out of the nest,
+and four of them were on the ground
+fluttering and screaming, each trying to
+tell its own story and throw the blame on
+its neighbour.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;What is the meaning of this noise?&rdquo;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>
+said Cock Robin.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Where is Robinette?&rdquo; cried Mrs.
+Robin. &ldquo;Has a cat or a weasel been
+here?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Chip, chip, chip was heard among
+the leaves close to the deserted home, and
+the mother flew up to see if her darling
+was all right, leaving the father of the
+family to settle matters with the others.
+Robinette was safe, and as he took the
+breakfast his mother had brought him, he
+told her what a fight there had been, and
+how he in the struggle had been pushed
+over the side. He also told her he could
+use his wings so well that he had been
+able to steady himself and keep from falling,
+until he found a branch that he could
+rest on comfortably. And there he had
+waited for his mother&rsquo;s return, knowing
+that she would bring him something good
+to eat.</p>
+
+<p>The poor mother was wondering how<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>
+she was to tell her wee birdie that this
+was the last breakfast she would bring
+him, when he introduced the subject himself
+by saying he wished he had not to get
+back into that nest. Indeed he did not
+think he could do it, for his wings were
+so stretched with using them that he was
+sure they would never crumple up into so
+small a space as they used to occupy.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Seeing that your wings are grown,
+my son, your father has decided we must
+all fly away. Let us join him now, and
+hear what he is saying to your brothers
+and sisters. He is very angry about this
+quarrelling, which is out of all order, and
+quite contrary to the doctrine taught by
+Dr. Watts that &lsquo;Birds in their little nests
+agree;&rsquo; and he does not like to think
+that his children are naughty beyond
+all others.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Robinette obediently accompanied his
+mother to the ground, and Mrs. Robin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>
+was glad to see how cleverly he managed
+both legs and wings. They found Cock
+Robin still haranguing his unruly family;
+but on seeing his wife, he concluded his
+remarks thus,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You are old enough and strong
+enough to do for yourselves, so off you go.
+Your mother and I will look after Robinette,
+and keep an eye on you for a day or
+two to see how you get on. I hope the
+gardener will be considerate enough to
+leave those worm-enticing carrots in the
+ground, for then there will be plenty of
+food for us all. Now good-bye.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Cock Robin, having dismissed the four,
+turned to his wife and Robinette.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I hope, my dear, he was not hurt by
+his rough brothers and sisters?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;he was not hurt;
+and I am now satisfied that his legs and
+wings are all they should be. As for his
+brains, he has more in his little head than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>
+all the others put together. I feel sure
+Robinette will have a history.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Cock Robin put his head first to one
+side, then to the other, and gave a funny,
+chirrupy laugh.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Ah! you mother birds are all alike;
+you think your special nursling is sure to
+turn out the flower of the flock.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Let us fly away. There is an uncomfortable
+feeling about my feathers, plainly
+telling me there is a cat near us.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>At this moment there was a rustle
+among some leaves, and a beautiful tabby
+cat came into view close to where the
+birds were. Robinette got such a fright
+that he rose suddenly from the ground,
+and he seemed to go on rising, rising, until
+he was far away from his home in the
+rhododendron bush.</p>
+
+<p>In his pleasure at finding himself going
+along so easily up in the air he quite forgot
+the cat, and, alas! he forgot his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>
+parents too. He forgot everything but
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;What a big place the world is!&rdquo;
+thought he, as he sat on a branch of a large
+walnut-tree and looked round about him.</p>
+
+<p>He was rather tired, so he rested there
+a while. Then he remembered that he had
+no one to bring him his food now; he
+must look for it himself. So he spread
+his wings and let himself gently down to
+the ground, where he soon found some
+earth newly turned over, and there was a
+feast for a king. Oh, those thoughtless
+wire-worms playing in the sunshine, they
+little knew who was just going to pounce
+upon them!</p>
+
+<p>Robinette was now quite &ldquo;on his own
+hook,&rdquo; as people who speak slang say.
+There was no one to consult as to what he
+should do; and though this freedom was
+enjoyable in the full daylight, he began to
+feel lonesome as evening drew on. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>
+found a good supper where he had found
+his dinner, then crept into a nice, thick
+rose-bush, dropped a silent tear as he
+thought of his mother, and tucking his
+head under his wing, fell fast asleep.</p>
+
+<p>For some time Robinette&rsquo;s life was
+much the same day by day. He met
+with no accidents, and had no adventures.
+However, one morning he saw something
+new and strange. He was on his usual
+point of observation&mdash;the branch of the
+walnut-tree&mdash;when he saw the gardeners
+bringing a long seat and putting it against
+the trunk of his tree. Then a neat maid
+from the house brought cushions and rugs.
+Next came a lady, and seated herself comfortably
+among those cushions and rugs.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;This must be &lsquo;the mistress&rsquo; I hear the
+men speak about. She is evidently at
+home here, and looks as though she were
+some one of importance; but, poor thing,
+she seems lonely. I am lonely too. I don&rsquo;t<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>
+care for the other birds in the garden;
+they are a common lot with no manners.
+I&rsquo;ll get acquainted with &lsquo;the mistress.&rsquo;
+From what the men say, it is a wise thing
+to be on friendly terms with those in
+authority. I&rsquo;ll go down and speak to her.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>With this he flew down near to the lady&rsquo;s
+feet. She was reading <i>The Standard</i> with
+close attention, and did not see the wee
+bird.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Chip, chip, chip,&rdquo; said Robinette&mdash;his
+way of saying &ldquo;good-morning,&rdquo; you know.</p>
+
+<p>Down went the newspaper with a
+crackling noise that somewhat alarmed
+him, so he withdrew to what he thought
+a safe distance. He flew to a dahlia
+stake, and from there again addressed the
+lady.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Chip, chip, chip. Ah! she sees me
+now,&rdquo; he said to himself.</p>
+
+<p>The lady looked and saw him. He
+came near her, almost to her feet again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>
+Robinette was very brave&mdash;whether from
+real courage or from ignorance is a disputed
+point.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;What a very friendly bird! You seem
+quite tame.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I wonder what she means,&rdquo; thought
+the birdie. &ldquo;Chip, chip, chip,&rdquo; he said.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Come near, robin; I shall not hurt
+you. Sing me a song.&rdquo; And the lady
+made that curious, kissing sound with her
+lips that people always make when speaking
+to birds.</p>
+
+<p>Robinette thought she was very polite
+to sing to him on such a slight acquaintance;
+and not to be behind in his manners,
+he sang to her with his strange, twittering
+note. The two conversed and sang to
+each other for some little time, when
+another lady came under the tree.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Do look at that funny, little bird,
+Polly; it has been hopping about close to
+me, and seems very tame. We must bring<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>
+some crumbs next time we come out.&mdash;Good-bye,
+Robin; but really you are so
+small that we shall call you Robinette.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The ladies moved away, and the bird was
+left wondering what &ldquo;crumbs&rdquo; were like.</p>
+
+<p>For some days after this the rain came
+down so fast that poor Robinette had
+much ado to keep himself dry. He
+cowered under his rose-bush or kept close
+to the thick hedge; but all the places
+got so very wet that the poor wee birdie
+thought life was not worth living. However,
+just as he was in the depths of
+despair, out came the sun from behind the
+clouds, and soon all nature was rejoicing
+again. The two ladies came out from the
+house to breathe the perfume-laden air
+and to enjoy the sounds of reviving nature.
+Robinette was so glad to see them that he
+flew quite close to them, saying in his own
+way, &ldquo;Good-day to you&mdash;chip, chip, chip.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;There is Robinette, I declare,&rdquo; said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>
+Polly; &ldquo;how wet and draggled he looks,
+poor birdie! He needs the sun to dry his
+wings.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The next day was all that could be
+wished in the way of heat and bright sunshine,
+so the ladies came to the garden
+seat. Robinette was looking out for
+them, and could scarcely wait for the
+older lady to be settled among the
+cushions and wrapped up in the rugs by
+her daughter. There are treacherous
+draughts under trees, and Polly was very
+careful of her mother. At last all arrangements
+were complete, and Mrs. Lewis
+opened her book to read. Suddenly Robinette
+flew on to it, quite startling her by
+such an approach. But she was charmed
+with his trusting familiarity, and at once
+asked Polly for the crumbs she had
+brought out. Polly produced them from
+her useful apron pocket, and threw some
+gently on the grass at her feet, and Robinette<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>
+was soon eating the finest feast he
+had ever had.</p>
+
+<p>You may be sure, after having eaten
+these good things, Robinette was always
+watching for the ladies, and he hopped
+beside them and sang to them as they
+walked or worked in the garden. He was
+soon tame enough to eat from their hands,
+and Polly, looking upon him as a great
+curiosity, wished to show him off to some
+gentlemen friends. But Robinette obstinately
+refused to be made a spectacle
+of. Not the most enticing crumbs would
+bring him to her hands if strangers were
+near, particularly of the male sex. He had
+no faith in men.</p>
+
+<p>As the summer days passed away, and
+autumn came and went, the days became
+shorter and colder, and Robinette found
+his way into the house, and soon was as
+much at home there as in the garden.
+He made friends with the cook in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>
+kitchen, and had many a rich meal when
+she was preparing the family dinner. He
+knew all the meal-times. He came in by
+the morning-room window in time for
+breakfast. But there he ran some risks.
+He sometimes encountered the table-maid,
+who was very cross with him; and perhaps
+not without reason, for he was not
+particular to wipe his feet before flying on
+to the clean white table-cloth, and often
+left the marks of his claws all over it; so
+she feared her mistress would insist on
+her changing the cloth. As this young
+woman especially disliked extra work, she
+used to frighten Robinette nearly out of
+his senses by shaking her duster at him
+and pretending to catch him.</p>
+
+<p>Whenever the ladies came downstairs he
+was quite safe. They let him do what he
+liked. He tasted the bacon, he feasted
+on butter, he burned his toes on the tea-pot&mdash;in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>
+fact, he did whatever came into
+his little head. At lunch he again presented
+himself, and he came to the
+drawing-room for afternoon tea.</p>
+
+<p>With all this high living he became a
+big, fat bird, and I am sorry to say he
+was very selfish and very jealous. He
+could not endure the thought of any
+other bird sharing his privileges, as the
+following incident proves.</p>
+
+<p>One morning after breakfast he heard
+a noise in the hall.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Whoever is Polly speaking to? It
+must be another bird,&rdquo; said he to himself.
+&ldquo;That is the way she speaks to me. I
+must see to this. If it is another robin, I
+shall be the death of him.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>He ruffled up his feathers and flew into
+the hall, prepared to do battle with any
+intruder. He was very angry to hear
+Polly speak in such petting tones to any
+bird but himself, and he was tempted
+to give her ear a bite as he sat on her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>
+shoulder. He found he had put himself
+in a rage very needlessly. It was not
+another robin, but a little wren.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; he thought, &ldquo;I wonder what
+she wants.&mdash;Good-day, Miss Wren; are
+you coming to live here?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I was thinking of it,&rdquo; she replied,
+tossing her head; &ldquo;but I don&rsquo;t think the
+society is very select.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>As she made this speech, she gave it
+point by looking straight at Robinette.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;you are rather a
+small person to have formed such a large
+opinion; but as you are so small, you are
+welcome to stay as long as you do not
+interfere with me.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Thank you for nothing, Cock Robin.
+I shall stay or I shall go without asking
+your leave.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You are a very rude bird, Jenny Wren.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Am I, Cock Robin? There are various
+opinions about that. What a great, fat,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>
+clumsy bird you are, to be sure! I would
+not have you for a husband though there
+were not another bird in the garden.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You will perhaps wait until you are
+asked, Miss Wren,&rdquo; replied Robinette,
+feeling he had better retire from the argument
+after this retort, for Jenny, like all
+females, would try to have the last word.</p>
+
+<p>Polly had been watching the birds
+fluttering towards each other, and was a
+little fearful Robinette might be rough
+with Jenny, so she was glad to see them
+part company after simply speaking, as
+she thought.</p>
+
+<p>This is the only incident worth mentioning
+that occurred during the winter
+months. Robinette&rsquo;s life was happy and
+comfortable. Free to come and go as he
+pleased, he always felt himself a guest&mdash;never
+a prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>At last winter was over, and the garden
+was beginning to have more attractions.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>
+There were some rather pretty Miss
+Robins flying about, and our bird thought
+he must go a-courting. He could not
+easily make up his mind whether he
+should bring a wife into the house, or
+whether he should go and live in the
+garden with her. Finally he decided on
+the latter plan.</p>
+
+<p>One very fine morning he dressed his
+feathers most carefully, saw that each one
+was lying exactly over the other, that his
+brown coat was perfect and his red waist-coat
+faultless. He practised his singing
+until his love-song was all he could wish
+it. He was wonderfully well satisfied
+with himself; but Jenny Wren&rsquo;s impertinent
+speeches would recur to his mind.
+The words fat and clumsy had especially
+annoyed him, and he never could altogether
+rid himself of their effect.</p>
+
+<p>As he flew past the greenhouse he saw
+a bucket with pure, clear water in it. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>
+thought he would rest on the edge and
+take a drink. Imagine his delight when
+he saw reflected in the water a perfectly
+beautiful cock robin, as charming a bird
+as any one could desire to see. After
+such a vision, what cared he for Jenny
+Wren and her impudence? Away he
+went, flying up and down the garden,
+quite sure that no Miss Robin in her
+senses would say &ldquo;no&rdquo; to him.</p>
+
+<p>He rested a while on the branch of an
+apple-tree, while he meditated on the
+various Miss Robins, and considered to
+which he should pay his addresses. He
+was startled by a slight movement of
+some leaves just beneath him, and on
+looking down to find the cause, he saw his
+too candid friend Jenny.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;So you are come out a-courting?&rdquo;
+said she. &ldquo;You are not a bit thinner.
+Which of the Miss Robins do you think
+will have you&mdash;a fat, over-fed house-bird?&rdquo;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You are quite mistaken, Miss Wren,
+if you think I am out for any such purpose.
+I am only taking an airing this fine
+day. A-courting, indeed! A bird like
+you would frighten any bachelor. I am
+sorry for your husband, if you ever get
+one.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Away he flew, for he did not like Miss
+Wren&rsquo;s remarks. You see, he had not
+mixed much with other birds, so he had
+not, as it were, found his level. He was
+in danger of thinking too much or too
+little of himself; and then, you perceive,
+he was thin-skinned.</p>
+
+<p>Poor birdie! That pert young Jenny
+had put his spirits down to his very toes.
+Had it not been for the glimpse he got in
+the bucket, he would have returned to the
+house discouraged for that day. However,
+like many other creatures, he did
+not know what the near future had in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>
+store for him.</p>
+
+<p>The time of day was noon, and he bethought
+him the kitchen dinner would be
+ready; so he prepared to fly towards the
+house, as he was very hungry. Just at
+this moment he caught sight of the gardener
+turning over some stuff for a hot-bed,
+and he also saw some fine, fat worms
+thrown to the surface by the fork. He
+concluded to dine there that day, and proceeded
+to make a very satisfactory meal.
+He had with some difficulty swallowed a
+very large worm, when he heard the gardener
+say, &ldquo;Hush! gently; now we shall
+see some fun.&rdquo; Robinette looked up.
+He saw, and he loved. The daintiest
+Miss Robin in all the garden was hopping
+towards him. Alas! beside her was a fine
+cock robin, and they seemed on the pleasantest
+terms with each other, and hopped
+along, quite unaware of Robinette&rsquo;s presence.
+To be ignored was what he could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>
+not stand. So he came near to them,
+made a deep bow to the lady, and ruffled
+his feathers and scowled at his rival. A
+fierce rage and jealousy took possession of
+him. He would kill this bird or die in
+the fight. The other cock robin was as
+eager for the fray as he was; so these two
+little birds were soon fighting savagely for
+the lady of their choice. She watched
+the duel from a twig close by. She had
+made up her mind to marry the winner,
+and it did not seem to matter much which
+that was. Both were handsome; and the
+victor would prove himself the stronger.
+The birds were very equally matched, and
+fought for some time with varying fortune.
+At last, however, Robinette was conqueror,
+and he flew at once to the lady
+and claimed her as his bride. He knew
+he now had a right to her; but just in case
+her mind should waver towards another,
+he placed before her the advantages of an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>
+alliance with him, the chief one being that
+he could get as much food as ever they
+could eat, with very little trouble, and the
+food was of the most rare and nourishing
+kind.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I can get some for you now, for I see
+my friends in the garden, and Polly is
+sure to have crumbs in her pocket. Wait
+here until I come back.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The ladies had come out for a stroll in
+the garden. What a garden that was!
+At almost any season it was beautiful, but
+in the summer it was a paradise alike for
+birds and human beings. It was surrounded
+by grand old trees of many kinds
+and flowering shrubs as large as trees.
+Then the wealth of roses and sweet-scented,
+old-fashioned flowers of all sorts,
+mixed here and there with their more
+modern sisters, made it a perfect dream of
+delight. How the town-wearied friends
+rejoiced when they were bidden to visit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>
+that garden! There their eyes were refreshed
+by the softly-blended colouring
+and exquisite beauty of the whole scene.
+They breathed in the delicious air, and
+thought it better than wine as a restorer of
+strength. No words can describe the feeling
+to the feet of those soft, green avenues&mdash;the
+grass so short that the most delicate
+could walk there without harm, and so
+smooth that a child&rsquo;s bare foot could run
+there scathless. That garden is now to
+those dear friends a place in their memory
+only. The ladies have passed away from
+it, and strangers are in possession.</p>
+
+<p>Excuse this digression.</p>
+
+<p>Robinette flew to Polly&rsquo;s hand.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;So here you are, Bobbie. We wondered
+what had become of you, as you did
+not come in at lunch-time. Don&rsquo;t fill your
+mouth so full; you will choke yourself.
+Oh! he is off.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Polly had held the crumbs for him as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>
+usual, and he just stuffed his mouth full
+and flew in the direction of the greenhouse.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Mother, Robinette must have a lady-love.
+He has taken the crumbs away;
+he did not swallow them.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Robinette was charmed with the
+crumbs&mdash;that kind of food suited her taste
+exactly; and she hoped her husband would
+keep her well supplied with them when she
+was too much occupied with other matters
+to seek food for herself. Robinette gallantly
+promised to do his best for her.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was time to seek a place for
+their nest, and begin building. Like most
+young people under similar circumstances,
+they were difficult to please. Robinette,
+having been so much accustomed to a
+house, thought the greenhouse the best
+place; Mrs. Robinette, knowing nothing
+about houses, thought a nice, thick bush
+much superior. She, like a good wife,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>
+gave in to her husband, and allowed him
+to choose the site for their nest. He
+selected a nice, quiet corner of the greenhouse,
+beside some large flower-pots that
+looked as if they had not been disturbed
+for a century. Here they would be safe
+from storms and cats and all creatures
+which terrify small birds. As evening was
+drawing on, our little lovers parted, having
+appointed a place to meet next morning
+at sunrise to begin to build their nest.</p>
+
+<p>The following day the sun rose bright
+and beautiful, making all things and creatures
+rejoice, and none more than our two
+little birds, who were soon as busy as
+possible, finding and bringing the materials
+necessary for their purpose.</p>
+
+<p>They had such a happy time building
+that nest; he was so gallant and she was
+so sweet. How he sang to her when she
+was tired, and what delicious crumbs he
+brought her! Some shortbread had been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>
+sent to Polly as a present, and it is such
+a crumbling cake that the birds feasted
+royally while it lasted.</p>
+
+<p>At last the nest was finished. The little
+builders looked it all over and could find
+no fault with it. As they were rather
+exhausted with their hard work, they
+agreed to rest themselves a while near the
+hot-bed where the memorable fight had
+taken place. There they could find plenty
+of worms without fatigue, and they would
+sleep or chat as they felt disposed. When
+they were sufficiently rested, they went
+back to look at their pretty, new house.
+Alas! alas! what desolation they found!
+The gardener, who had been cleaning
+his greenhouse, had moved the big, dirty
+flower-pots, and had thrown out the robins&rsquo;
+nest. Poor, tired birds, they had to begin
+all over again. Mrs. Robinette burst into
+tears, saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I told you not to choose a house to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>
+build in; I was sure a bush would have
+been safer. Do, dear husband, come away
+now to some other place; I do not like
+the men.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Robinette was very angry at his work
+being spoiled, and he answered a little
+sharply,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Nonsense, my dear; I am not going to
+be driven out of my way by a stupid old
+gardener. We shall build here again.
+Let us set to work at once; and if that
+man interferes I shall tell the mistress.
+Hallo! here is a piece of good-luck for us;
+he has only thrown it down here. To be
+sure, it is torn to pieces. But never mind;
+we shall soon have it up again.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>You see Robinette had a temper; but
+he was a cheery wee bird, inclined to
+make the best of things. When his anger
+had cooled, he chirped to his down-hearted
+little wife so brightly that she was obliged
+to pluck up spirit, and they were soon as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>
+merry as before the terrible misfortune.</p>
+
+<p>A few days after these events Mrs.
+Lewis came into her greenhouse, and seeing
+it look so much brighter and lighter
+than usual, she said to the gardener,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You must acknowledge that the house
+looks better for being clean. Try to keep
+it so.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll try, ma&rsquo;am; but it is not much
+use when these mischievous birds come in,
+bringing their stuff to build with. Just
+look there. I threw away a nest from
+that very spot three days ago, and there
+is another. And there is a robin in it.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It is Robinette,&rdquo; cried Polly. &ldquo;I am
+sure it is.&mdash;Bobbie, come for crumbs.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Robinette, sly bird, had been watching
+and listening; and when he saw that attention
+was drawn to the nest, he sat down
+in it as though he were the lady on her
+eggs, knowing well &ldquo;the mistress&rdquo; would
+give orders that he was not to be disturbed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>
+And when she saw it was her
+own pet robin, of course she was more
+decided, and told the gardener he was on
+no account to take down the nest, and
+every possible arrangement was to be
+made for the comfort and happiness of
+Robinette and his wife.</p>
+
+<p>It is customary to close all stories when
+the hero marries. So, having come to the
+end of Robinette&rsquo;s bachelor days, we shall
+take leave of him and his bride, hoping
+that, now they are married, they will
+&ldquo;live happy ever after.&rdquo;</p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="APPLE-PIE_ORDER" id="APPLE-PIE_ORDER"></a>APPLE-PIE ORDER.</h2>
+
+
+<p>What a bright, sunshiny forenoon!
+and how green the meadow
+looked before Simon Copland&rsquo;s farm!
+The thrush in the great thorn was
+singing loudly, and the old clock, which
+stood in its dark oak case in the corner
+of the kitchen, struck twelve as little
+Ph&oelig;be came into the porch.</p>
+
+<p>This little girl, though, whose face was
+so sad, and whose straw-hat hung so
+droopingly from her arm, was not like the
+Ph&oelig;be of most days, who, on her return
+from school about this hour, came popping
+her happy little face in at the door, and if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>
+dinner were ready, would eat hers quickly,
+and be off again.</p>
+
+<p>The kitchen at Simon Copland&rsquo;s was a
+long, large room, and had great beams
+across the ceiling, from which hung hams
+and other good things. Mrs. Copland
+was busy at the table, and near one of
+the windows sat her brother, Ph&oelig;be&rsquo;s
+uncle, Roger, who lived some miles away
+at pretty Lady&rsquo;s Mead, and who was
+very dear to his little niece. To him,
+however, she had no mind to go at
+present, and would have slipped upstairs;
+but he quickly spied out the little figure
+in the doorway, and opened his arms
+to her, saying, &ldquo;Here&rsquo;s the little lass;
+give thy Uncle Rogie a kiss, Ph&oelig;be.&rdquo;
+There was no escape for Ph&oelig;be, and
+in a minute more she was on her uncle&rsquo;s
+knee, while his large forefinger was placed
+on the marks of tears on her cheeks,
+and his kind inquiring eyes asked as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>
+well as his words, &ldquo;Ph&oelig;be, my lass,
+what ails thee?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Her mother turned round from the table.
+&ldquo;What is it, Ph&oelig;be?&rdquo; she said.</p>
+
+<p>And then came a burst of tears
+from the little girl, and a confession,
+poured into Uncle Roger&rsquo;s ear, of misfortunes
+that day, and many days before,
+at Mrs. Nott&rsquo;s school in the village;
+how diligently Ph&oelig;be had always prepared
+her lessons overnight, but how first
+one book was lost, and then another;
+and how to-day, because the pencil had
+been carelessly fastened to the slate, it too
+had disappeared, and was not there when
+wanted, and in consequence Margaret
+Prettyman had got above her&mdash;sly Margaret
+Prettyman, who often did not learn
+her lessons at all, but kept her place at
+the head of the class by writing down her
+task on a slip of paper, and keeping it in
+her hand while she repeated it; and how<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>
+Mrs. Nott had said that Margaret was so
+tidy and Ph&oelig;be so careless; and how she
+reproved the latter when the class was
+over, and told her that, unless girls were
+tidy and careful, all their learning was of
+no use. &ldquo;Every girl ought to keep
+herself and her things in apple-pie order,&rdquo;
+Mrs. Nott said. &ldquo;And, O uncle,&rdquo; sobbed
+Ph&oelig;be, &ldquo;I know I&rsquo;m careless, but I never
+can remember to be tidy; and I can&rsquo;t keep
+apple-pie order, for I don&rsquo;t know what it
+is.&rdquo; And so, with many more tears,
+Ph&oelig;be&rsquo;s confession ended.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, child,&rdquo; said her mother, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s as
+I&rsquo;ve often told you. Your drawer is a
+shame to be seen; and I&rsquo;m glad Mrs.
+Nott spoke to you as she did.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Roger stroked his chin, and sat
+looking out through the window for a
+little, saying nothing, till Ph&oelig;be&rsquo;s sobs
+grew less frequent, and at last almost
+ceased. He then reached his hand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>
+through the open lattice, and pulling a
+little flower from among the creepers,
+gently raised Ph&oelig;be&rsquo;s face, saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Look thee here, little niece; mark
+this small, pretty flower, with its white
+blossoms so perfect and tidy; look at the
+stalk below, and each little leaf upon it,
+regular, one after the other. There isn&rsquo;t
+one part of this pretty flower out of its
+place, Ph&oelig;be; and who made it?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Ph&oelig;be&rsquo;s sobs ceased altogether as she
+replied, &ldquo;God, uncle.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;And look there,&rdquo; Uncle Roger went
+on, drawing towards him as he spoke a
+large china dish, on which lay a beautiful
+honeycomb, which Mrs. Copland had set
+aside for a sick friend&mdash;&ldquo;look at this too.
+See each cell, and each of these beautiful
+little arches; there is not one unlike its
+neighbour. What do you think of order
+like that, niece Ph&oelig;be? isn&rsquo;t it perfect?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, uncle,&rdquo; she whispered, quieted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span>
+and wondering.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, little lass, our God, who made
+the pretty flower, and caused the bees to
+make the sweet honeycomb, is a God of
+order, and He loves order. He does not
+wish my little Ph&oelig;be to be the untidy
+little maid she is.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Ph&oelig;be lay quiet for a few minutes,
+thinking to herself how kindly Uncle
+Roger always spoke to her, and how
+much easier it was to &ldquo;feel good&rdquo; with
+him than with Mrs. Nott or Margaret
+Prettyman. &ldquo;But what did Mrs. Nott
+mean by &lsquo;apple-pie order,&rsquo; uncle?&rdquo; she
+said after a little, looking up in her uncle&rsquo;s
+face.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Roger smiled and smoothed her
+hair, not saying anything for a moment
+or two; then, instead of answering her
+question, he asked, &ldquo;When is your birthday,
+Ph&oelig;be?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;The twenty-sixth of next month,&rdquo; she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>
+replied quickly, and wondering very much.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Do you remember,&rdquo; continued Uncle
+Roger, &ldquo;the custard feast I gave you last
+birthday? I&rsquo;ve been asking your mother
+here to bring you over this year too to
+Lady&rsquo;s Mead, and I&rsquo;ll give you another
+feast, and father, and mother, and Bob,
+and little Charlie; and we&rsquo;ll have Uncle
+and Aunt Leyton, and little Mary-Anne
+to keep you company; and then, Niece
+Ph&oelig;be, I&rsquo;m thinking of showing you
+by that time what apple-pie order is.
+Don&rsquo;t you know how good Uncle Roger&rsquo;s
+apple-pies are?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;O uncle!&rdquo; cried Ph&oelig;be, clasping him
+closely round the neck; &ldquo;how good you
+are to me, Uncle Roger&mdash;custards and
+apple-pies, and Cousin Mary-Anne!&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Fair and softly,&rdquo; said her uncle,
+loosening her hold. &ldquo;You haven&rsquo;t heard
+it all yet, Ph&oelig;be. It is nearly a month
+till that, you know. Well, you must<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>
+promise me that every day of that month
+you will please your mother by keeping
+your drawer, or whatever it is, as tidy
+as a nut; and I must have from Mrs.
+Nott a good account of your order and
+neatness. Mind, <i>every day</i>; no books
+lost, no pencils falling off, else no apple-pies
+for you, Niece Ph&oelig;be.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Ph&oelig;be&rsquo;s face fell. &ldquo;O uncle!&rdquo; she
+said.</p>
+
+<p>Her mother looked round again.
+&ldquo;Roger, you spoil the child,&rdquo; she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Not if I teach her order, Sister
+Marjory,&rdquo; was his reply.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll <i>try</i>, uncle,&rdquo; whispered Ph&oelig;be;
+and Uncle Roger kissed her.</p>
+
+<p>You all know the difference well, I
+don&rsquo;t doubt, betwixt <i>trying</i> and <i>doing</i>&mdash;how
+easy it seems to perform a promise
+at first, when resolves are fresh and
+strong, but how each day takes, as it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>
+were, a little bit of strength out of the
+wish to do the disagreeable duty. Little
+Ph&oelig;be was truly anxious to overcome her
+bad habit; and I can also say that,
+though apple-pies and custards, and her
+dear little cousin Mary-Anne&rsquo;s company,
+had at first given her an inducement to do
+so, yet after a little that part of it became
+very faint indeed in comparison with the
+wish to succeed in fulfilling her promise
+to Uncle Roger.</p>
+
+<p>Difficult enough the task was; and
+sometimes Ph&oelig;be felt as if the month
+would never pass. But the days went on
+somehow, and Mrs. Copland was much
+amused, and secretly much pleased, to see
+the important air with which her little
+daughter would retire daily to her small
+bedroom, next her father and mother&rsquo;s,
+and after a great deal of knocking about
+and noise overhead, would run downstairs,
+and coming to Mrs. Copland, say,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>
+&ldquo;Please, mother, come and look at my
+drawer. I&rsquo;m sure it&rsquo;s tidy.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>After a little time had passed, Mrs.
+Copland explained to her daughter the
+secret of true order; which is, not to
+keep things untidy, and to have constantly
+to <i>put them to rights</i>, but to <i>keep
+them right</i>&mdash;to put everything in its own
+place <i>at once</i>. This was a new part to
+learn in Ph&oelig;be&rsquo;s lesson, but she tried it,
+and heartily too; and things were going
+on in this way when, just two days before
+the month was over, there came a sad
+misfortune to her, which took away the
+hopes of apple-pies and other things
+which her birthday was to bring her.</p>
+
+<p>All this time she had been going
+regularly to Mrs. Nott&rsquo;s school, and the
+schoolmistress was much surprised at the
+change in her careless little pupil. Her
+companions, too, could not tell what had
+come to Ph&oelig;be Copland; and as for sly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>
+Margaret Prettyman, she was filled with
+dislike and envy of her little rival; for
+Ph&oelig;be, having put aside her careless
+habits, took her place as first in the class,
+and Margaret had been first till now.</p>
+
+<p>On this particular afternoon Mrs. Nott
+had given her girls an additional task to
+learn; and Ph&oelig;be, having a quarter of an
+hour to spare, sat down, as was her habit
+sometimes, to look over the lesson before
+leaving school. She was putting up her
+books, when one of the other girls, Esther
+Heywood, came to her with a message
+from her (Esther&rsquo;s) mother, asking Ph&oelig;be
+to step down to the Mill Farm, where the
+Heywoods lived. They had got a jar of
+fine citron-preserves, which the sailor son,
+Jem, had brought from across the seas to
+his mother; and she was going to send
+some over to Mrs. Copland to taste.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You might leave your books here,&rdquo; said
+Esther, &ldquo;and I&rsquo;ll walk back a bit with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>
+you. We&rsquo;ll get them when we come.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The citron-preserves were very, very
+good, and Ph&oelig;be was kept a little while
+at the Mill Farm to taste them, and to
+hear the wonderful things which Jem
+Heywood had to tell about the parrots
+and the beautiful birds in the countries
+where he had been; and then Ph&oelig;be
+started on her way home over the fields,
+and Esther with her. Sailor Jem said
+he&rsquo;d &ldquo;go a bit too with the girls,&rdquo; to see
+them &ldquo;under way,&rdquo; as he called it; and it
+ended by Esther and Jem going the whole
+way with her, to carry her books, which
+they got as they passed the school-house.</p>
+
+<p>All the evening Jem was telling them
+such funny stories that she could not attend
+to her lessons, but went to bed quite
+tired with laughing, and dreamed that she
+was a parrot, and that Jem Heywood was
+teaching her tasks off by heart.</p>
+
+<p>Next morning, with the sunshine, up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>
+jumped Ph&oelig;be, to learn her lessons before
+going to school. She felt very happy. The
+next day but one was her birthday; and
+next day itself Uncle Roger would be
+over from Lady&rsquo;s Mead, she knew, and
+then she would tell him how faithfully she
+had kept her promise; and how pleased
+and kind he would look&mdash;she could fancy
+she saw his face so well. And singing a
+little song to herself, Ph&oelig;be sat down at
+her bedroom window, opening her books
+out before her on her knee. But there
+were only three books there, and she
+ought to have <i>four</i>.</p>
+
+<p>How Ph&oelig;be sought for that book&mdash;through
+all her drawers and her little
+room, then through the house, and lastly,
+down all the lane, and by every step of
+the path through the fields which they
+had crossed the evening before! Oh,
+what a weary search that was, and
+what a sad story to tell her mother,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>
+when, <i>without</i> the book, Ph&oelig;be returned.</p>
+
+<p>If Mrs. Copland looked so vexed, what
+would Uncle Roger be? And then all the
+happy birthday pleasures which she had
+lost! She would have to dine with little
+Charlie, she knew, and to feel as if in
+disgrace all day; and in disgrace even
+Lady&rsquo;s Mead itself could bring her no
+pleasure. Poor little Ph&oelig;be!</p>
+
+<p>Her mother would not allow her to
+stay at home from school, but said she
+must tell Mrs. Nott the plain truth, and,
+if she had time before the class began,
+learn the lesson from some of the other
+girls&rsquo; books. Fortunately, the missing
+task was that which Ph&oelig;be had learned
+before leaving the school the day before;
+but, owing to her haste and agitation, it
+was so incorrectly repeated that Margaret
+Prettyman again triumphantly took her
+place at the head of the class. It was
+hard enough to see Margaret&rsquo;s malicious<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>
+face as she pushed past, and Ph&oelig;be had
+much trouble in choking down her temper
+and her tears at the same time.</p>
+
+<p>The next day Esther Heywood came
+to meet her with a very sorrowful face,
+and told her that Jem had been &ldquo;all up
+the fields&rdquo; the evening before, searching
+the path they had gone by, and that he
+had looked into every nook and corner he
+could think of, but he could not see the
+book anywhere. His opinion was, though,
+that Uncle Roger would never keep to
+his word; that he would never disappoint
+Ph&oelig;be on her birthday for such a trifle.</p>
+
+<p>Ph&oelig;be shook her head. &ldquo;Uncle Roger
+always keeps his word,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll
+be in disgrace, I know, though perhaps I&rsquo;ll
+go to Lady&rsquo;s Mead all the same; but that
+will be quite as bad as not going at all.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Hardest of all it was when Uncle
+Roger came over that afternoon. Mrs.
+Copland had to tell him the story, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>
+Ph&oelig;be was so drowned in tears that she
+could not speak a word. Uncle Roger
+looked grave when he heard how it was,
+but soothed his weeping little niece kindly,
+and gave her no reproof. He spoke little
+or nothing about the following day, only
+saying, while stroking her hair as usual,
+&ldquo;Well, my little maid, we must stick to
+our bargain. Apple-pie order must wait
+till next year, I fancy; but come over all
+the same, and welcome, to Lady&rsquo;s Mead.
+You and Mary-Anne can have your romp
+together; and you must forget it&rsquo;s your
+own birthday, that&rsquo;s all. I&rsquo;m just about
+as much pleased with you for your last
+month&rsquo;s doings as if all your books were
+safe in your bag, mind you that; and now
+wipe your tears, my little lass.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The next morning rose as bright and
+beautiful as you could well wish to see,
+and Ph&oelig;be, seated by her father behind
+the old grey horse Robin, with her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>
+mother and Charlie in the back seat,
+almost forgot her sorrows while driving
+down the sweet, shady lanes in all their
+beautiful autumn colours, and while looking
+forward to Lady&rsquo;s Mead, and the
+delight of seeing her dear little cousin
+Mary-Anne.</p>
+
+<p>Lady&rsquo;s Mead was such a pretty place,
+with a very large orchard full of rosy-cheeked
+apples; and there was a dairy,
+large, and cool, and sweet, with great
+bowls of delicious milk, and such a beautifully
+white, clean floor. Out of doors
+there was a swing, and a pretty mossy
+summer-house down by the stream, and
+such delightful little paths through clipped
+yew hedges, and an old sun-dial on the
+grass, and in one corner a stone figure of
+a little boy kneeling, with his hands
+clasped and his face looking up to heaven.
+It was altogether such a place as children
+did not weary of; and had it not been for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>
+little Ph&oelig;be&rsquo;s late troubles, she would
+have been as joyous as the birds which
+were singing in the trees all round them.</p>
+
+<p>There were many &ldquo;rubs&rdquo; to bear,
+though; first, the meeting with her uncle
+and aunt and Mary-Anne, and receiving
+from them no happy birthday wishes as
+usual; and then seeing her brother Bob&rsquo;s
+disappointed face when he came over
+from the county town where he was
+serving his apprenticeship, bringing with
+him a nice little parcel, which looked very
+like a doll, wrapped up in thin brown
+paper, and stowed away in one of his
+pockets for his little sister. The parcel
+was not taken out, however.</p>
+
+<p>Cousin Mary-Anne, who was a dear,
+good little girl, no sooner heard that
+Ph&oelig;be was to dine at a side-table with
+little Charlie, instead of the treat of
+sitting at the great long one with the
+older people, than she declared that she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>
+would do so too; and though Ph&oelig;be
+would not listen to this at first, yet
+Mary-Anne would have it so, and it
+was accordingly settled. She proved
+herself, too, such a good little comforter
+and companion, that Ph&oelig;be became quite
+cheerful again, though perhaps their play
+was not quite so merry as usual.</p>
+
+<p>First they went to the poultry-yard,
+where there was a brood of very fine little
+ducklings, just hatched, to see. Then to
+the dairy, where they both were allowed
+to pat away at the butter and make it up
+for tea. Then Matty, the dairy-maid,
+said that she must leave the dairy, and
+that they must go too; so they sauntered
+away down by the stream to the pretty
+summer-house. They were glad to get
+there, because of the shade, for the sun
+was hot, and they were tired with butter-making.
+So for some little time they sat
+resting, and making boats of the large<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>
+leaves, to float down the stream.</p>
+
+<p>By-and-by they heard a step coming
+quickly down the path towards them, and
+directly afterwards Bob came hurrying
+into the summer-house, saying, &ldquo;Ph&oelig;be,
+come along; Uncle Roger&rsquo;s seeking you.&mdash;And
+you, Mary-Anne, if you like, you
+little duck;&rdquo; and with that Bob gave a
+loud &ldquo;hurrah,&rdquo; which made both the girls
+spring to their feet in astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;But why, Bob?&rdquo; asked Ph&oelig;be excitedly,
+as he hurried them along, one in each
+hand, as fast as they could go up the path.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Never you mind,&rdquo; said Bob&mdash;&ldquo;you&rsquo;ll
+soon know;&rdquo; and then he gave another
+&ldquo;hurrah&rdquo; and jumped like a madman.</p>
+
+<p>On they rushed, through the orchard,
+round the yew hedge, and so past the old
+dial, and over the grass, on to the house.
+At the window, which was a very large
+one, Ph&oelig;be saw quite a crowd; for they
+were all collected there, and amongst<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>
+them, to her astonishment, stood tall
+Jem Heywood. When she and Bob and
+Mary-Anne came in sight, he set up a
+cheer, in which little Charlie joined
+lustily; and Ph&oelig;be turned first red and
+then pale, and at last stopped altogether
+in fright and bewilderment, dragging the
+two others back with her. Then her
+father&rsquo;s face looked out and smiled to her,
+and then her mother&rsquo;s and Aunt Leyton&rsquo;s;
+and then out came Uncle Roger, and
+Ph&oelig;be was lifted on his shoulder, and
+carried through the midst of the smiling
+faces to where the dinner was laid out.</p>
+
+<p>There she saw a little bower of green
+branches over a chair at Uncle Roger&rsquo;s
+right hand, at the end of the table; and
+on this chair, under the boughs, Uncle
+Roger set her down, while before her
+rose the most enormous apple-pie you
+can imagine! Instead of crust, which it
+looked like, its cover was of china-ware;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>
+and Uncle Roger raised it in his hand
+when every one had sat down all round
+the table, and there&mdash;what do you think?
+Ph&oelig;be saw the wonderful pie filled, not
+with apples, but with beautiful birthday
+gifts&mdash;Bob&rsquo;s doll, dressed all in pink
+ribbons and lace; a little straw-hat,
+trimmed with bright blue ribbons, from
+Aunt Leyton; a pretty china cottage,
+covered with roses, from Mary-Anne; a
+beautiful little work-box, lined with red
+silk, and filled with every pretty, useful
+thing for sewing, and also a crown-piece
+in it, from her father and mother; and
+better than all these, a small Bible,
+beautifully bound in purple velvet, with
+gold clasps, from Uncle Roger; and
+beside this lay <i>another book</i>, and with a
+cry of surprise Ph&oelig;be saw before her,
+torn and stained, her own lost lesson-book!
+What a cheer rose up all round
+the table! And sailor Jem cheered louder<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>
+than any one. But all this joy was too
+much for poor Ph&oelig;be, and she fell
+a-crying on Uncle Roger&rsquo;s shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>If any of you wish to know how the
+lost book was found again, I must tell
+you what Jem Heywood said about it,
+though it won&rsquo;t be in his own words.</p>
+
+<p>He had been down the evening before
+at Mrs. Prettyman&rsquo;s (Margaret&rsquo;s mother),
+and one of the little ones having come
+toddling into the room, Jem had lifted
+it on his knee, taking as he did so a
+crushed, torn book out of its hand. On
+the fly-leaf, though almost torn away,
+Jem read, to his surprise, the first letters
+of Ph&oelig;be&rsquo;s name. The child said it had
+got the book &ldquo;in Maggie&rsquo;s bag.&rdquo; Then
+Margaret came in herself, and Jem asked
+her what was the meaning of this. Her
+angry, guilty face and confused replies
+immediately roused his suspicions; and
+on going home he took care to let his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>
+sister Esther know all he had seen and
+heard. The truth was soon found out.
+It was Margaret who had done this spiteful
+thing, to bring disgrace upon Ph&oelig;be.</p>
+
+<p>Can you all picture to yourselves
+Ph&oelig;be&rsquo;s joy on this happy evening?
+How grateful she was to Jem Heywood,
+and how the hours flew away, supper-time
+coming before the games seemed half
+done! Ph&oelig;be found time, though, for
+a long, happy talk with Uncle Roger;
+and it was then she told him how she had
+made up her mind not to quarrel with
+Margaret because of all this, but to try, if
+possible, to be better friends than before;
+for she now saw, she said, that their
+quarrelling had brought all this about.</p>
+
+<p>I may as well add here, as some of you
+may wish to know, that Ph&oelig;be&rsquo;s resolution
+had its own reward, for her change of
+conduct seemed to bring about a change
+in Margaret&rsquo;s too. Of course this took<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>
+some time, for bad feelings cannot be
+rooted up all at once. But as the months
+passed on, every one could see a great
+improvement in Margaret. Little beginnings
+often bring much greater endings;
+and Margaret could look back afterwards
+to this time with feelings of gratitude for
+the lesson which had been taught her by
+means of one forgiving little heart.</p>
+
+<p>On this birthday night Uncle Roger
+was much pleased to hear Ph&oelig;be speak
+as she did; and her happiness was quite
+full when, drawing her on his knee, he
+added, &ldquo;And my little Ph&oelig;be has shown
+me that, with God&rsquo;s help, she has learned
+the meaning of &lsquo;<span class="smcap">Apple-pie order</span>.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF A ROBIN***</p>
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+</body>
+</html>
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Story of a Robin, by Agnes S. Underwood
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Story of a Robin
+
+
+Author: Agnes S. Underwood
+
+
+
+Release Date: March 31, 2008  [eBook #24970]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF A ROBIN***
+
+
+E-text prepared by David Clarke, Suzan Flanagan, and the Project Gutenberg
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 24970-h.htm or 24970-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/9/7/24970/24970-h/24970-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/9/7/24970/24970-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF A ROBIN
+
+[Illustration: "_Two old robins were consulting._"
+
+                                          Page 9.]
+
+THE STORY OF A ROBIN
+
+[Illustration: A FEAST FOR A KING
+
+                       _Page 16_]
+
+T. Nelson and Sons
+London, Edinburgh, and New York
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF A ROBIN
+
+by
+
+AGNES S. UNDERWOOD
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+T. Nelson and Sons
+London, Edinburgh, and New York
+1898
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+     THE STORY OF A ROBIN,       9
+
+     APPLE-PIE ORDER,           40
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF A ROBIN.
+
+
+One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about
+breaking up their household. In other words, they thought the time
+had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find
+food for themselves. There were five little birds in that nice,
+warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so
+well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the
+best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the
+side with the pushing and struggling that went on. Then they were
+such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food
+to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin,
+and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the
+gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place
+to find food, and back with their mouths full.
+
+Cock Robin said to his wife,--
+
+"This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work
+all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look
+after themselves. We shall say we are going away for a holiday, as
+we require change of air, and they must go and find their own food.
+Don't look so sad, my dear; it is the way of the world. The same
+thing happened to us. I wonder what my father would have said had I
+screamed to him for food when I was the age my sons are?"
+
+Mrs. Robin listened dutifully to this long speech, and, like a
+good wife, acquiesced in what her husband said. But as she flew
+with him to tell the youngsters of the change awaiting them, her
+heart was a little sore on account of her latest hatched birdie. He
+was not so big or so strong as the others, and she feared he might
+be caught by a cat or die of cold. However, it was no use dwelling
+on these dismal ideas; he must just take his chance, as all birds
+before him had done. She would give him some good advice as to
+avoiding cats, and the proper drying of his feathers when they got
+wet, so that he should not get rheumatism in his bones.
+
+On reaching the nest, they found there had been a fierce fight
+among their children. All the five were out of the nest, and four
+of them were on the ground fluttering and screaming, each trying to
+tell its own story and throw the blame on its neighbour.
+
+"What is the meaning of this noise?" said Cock Robin.
+
+"Where is Robinette?" cried Mrs. Robin. "Has a cat or a weasel been
+here?"
+
+Chip, chip, chip was heard among the leaves close to the deserted
+home, and the mother flew up to see if her darling was all right,
+leaving the father of the family to settle matters with the others.
+Robinette was safe, and as he took the breakfast his mother had
+brought him, he told her what a fight there had been, and how he in
+the struggle had been pushed over the side. He also told her he
+could use his wings so well that he had been able to steady himself
+and keep from falling, until he found a branch that he could rest
+on comfortably. And there he had waited for his mother's return,
+knowing that she would bring him something good to eat.
+
+The poor mother was wondering how she was to tell her wee birdie
+that this was the last breakfast she would bring him, when he
+introduced the subject himself by saying he wished he had not to
+get back into that nest. Indeed he did not think he could do it,
+for his wings were so stretched with using them that he was sure
+they would never crumple up into so small a space as they used to
+occupy.
+
+"Seeing that your wings are grown, my son, your father has decided
+we must all fly away. Let us join him now, and hear what he is
+saying to your brothers and sisters. He is very angry about this
+quarrelling, which is out of all order, and quite contrary to the
+doctrine taught by Dr. Watts that 'Birds in their little nests
+agree;' and he does not like to think that his children are naughty
+beyond all others."
+
+Robinette obediently accompanied his mother to the ground, and
+Mrs. Robin was glad to see how cleverly he managed both legs and
+wings. They found Cock Robin still haranguing his unruly family;
+but on seeing his wife, he concluded his remarks thus,--
+
+"You are old enough and strong enough to do for yourselves, so off
+you go. Your mother and I will look after Robinette, and keep an
+eye on you for a day or two to see how you get on. I hope the
+gardener will be considerate enough to leave those worm-enticing
+carrots in the ground, for then there will be plenty of food for us
+all. Now good-bye."
+
+Cock Robin, having dismissed the four, turned to his wife and
+Robinette.
+
+"I hope, my dear, he was not hurt by his rough brothers and
+sisters?"
+
+"No," she replied, "he was not hurt; and I am now satisfied that
+his legs and wings are all they should be. As for his brains, he
+has more in his little head than all the others put together. I
+feel sure Robinette will have a history."
+
+Cock Robin put his head first to one side, then to the other, and
+gave a funny, chirrupy laugh.
+
+"Ah! you mother birds are all alike; you think your special
+nursling is sure to turn out the flower of the flock."
+
+"Let us fly away. There is an uncomfortable feeling about my
+feathers, plainly telling me there is a cat near us."
+
+At this moment there was a rustle among some leaves, and a
+beautiful tabby cat came into view close to where the birds were.
+Robinette got such a fright that he rose suddenly from the ground,
+and he seemed to go on rising, rising, until he was far away from
+his home in the rhododendron bush.
+
+In his pleasure at finding himself going along so easily up in the
+air he quite forgot the cat, and, alas! he forgot his parents too.
+He forgot everything but himself.
+
+"What a big place the world is!" thought he, as he sat on a branch
+of a large walnut-tree and looked round about him.
+
+He was rather tired, so he rested there a while. Then he remembered
+that he had no one to bring him his food now; he must look for it
+himself. So he spread his wings and let himself gently down to the
+ground, where he soon found some earth newly turned over, and there
+was a feast for a king. Oh, those thoughtless wire-worms playing in
+the sunshine, they little knew who was just going to pounce upon
+them!
+
+Robinette was now quite "on his own hook," as people who speak
+slang say. There was no one to consult as to what he should do; and
+though this freedom was enjoyable in the full daylight, he began
+to feel lonesome as evening drew on. He found a good supper where
+he had found his dinner, then crept into a nice, thick rose-bush,
+dropped a silent tear as he thought of his mother, and tucking his
+head under his wing, fell fast asleep.
+
+For some time Robinette's life was much the same day by day. He met
+with no accidents, and had no adventures. However, one morning he
+saw something new and strange. He was on his usual point of
+observation--the branch of the walnut-tree--when he saw the
+gardeners bringing a long seat and putting it against the trunk of
+his tree. Then a neat maid from the house brought cushions and
+rugs. Next came a lady, and seated herself comfortably among those
+cushions and rugs.
+
+"This must be 'the mistress' I hear the men speak about. She is
+evidently at home here, and looks as though she were some one of
+importance; but, poor thing, she seems lonely. I am lonely too. I
+don't care for the other birds in the garden; they are a common lot
+with no manners. I'll get acquainted with 'the mistress.' From what
+the men say, it is a wise thing to be on friendly terms with those
+in authority. I'll go down and speak to her."
+
+With this he flew down near to the lady's feet. She was reading
+_The Standard_ with close attention, and did not see the wee bird.
+
+"Chip, chip, chip," said Robinette--his way of saying
+"good-morning," you know.
+
+Down went the newspaper with a crackling noise that somewhat
+alarmed him, so he withdrew to what he thought a safe distance. He
+flew to a dahlia stake, and from there again addressed the lady.
+
+"Chip, chip, chip. Ah! she sees me now," he said to himself.
+
+The lady looked and saw him. He came near her, almost to her feet
+again. Robinette was very brave--whether from real courage or from
+ignorance is a disputed point.
+
+"What a very friendly bird! You seem quite tame."
+
+"I wonder what she means," thought the birdie. "Chip, chip, chip,"
+he said.
+
+"Come near, robin; I shall not hurt you. Sing me a song." And the
+lady made that curious, kissing sound with her lips that people
+always make when speaking to birds.
+
+Robinette thought she was very polite to sing to him on such a
+slight acquaintance; and not to be behind in his manners, he sang
+to her with his strange, twittering note. The two conversed and
+sang to each other for some little time, when another lady came
+under the tree.
+
+"Do look at that funny, little bird, Polly; it has been hopping
+about close to me, and seems very tame. We must bring some crumbs
+next time we come out.--Good-bye, Robin; but really you are so
+small that we shall call you Robinette."
+
+The ladies moved away, and the bird was left wondering what
+"crumbs" were like.
+
+For some days after this the rain came down so fast that poor
+Robinette had much ado to keep himself dry. He cowered under his
+rose-bush or kept close to the thick hedge; but all the places got
+so very wet that the poor wee birdie thought life was not worth
+living. However, just as he was in the depths of despair, out came
+the sun from behind the clouds, and soon all nature was rejoicing
+again. The two ladies came out from the house to breathe the
+perfume-laden air and to enjoy the sounds of reviving nature.
+Robinette was so glad to see them that he flew quite close to them,
+saying in his own way, "Good-day to you--chip, chip, chip."
+
+"There is Robinette, I declare," said Polly; "how wet and draggled
+he looks, poor birdie! He needs the sun to dry his wings."
+
+The next day was all that could be wished in the way of heat and
+bright sunshine, so the ladies came to the garden seat. Robinette
+was looking out for them, and could scarcely wait for the older
+lady to be settled among the cushions and wrapped up in the rugs by
+her daughter. There are treacherous draughts under trees, and Polly
+was very careful of her mother. At last all arrangements were
+complete, and Mrs. Lewis opened her book to read. Suddenly
+Robinette flew on to it, quite startling her by such an approach.
+But she was charmed with his trusting familiarity, and at once
+asked Polly for the crumbs she had brought out. Polly produced them
+from her useful apron pocket, and threw some gently on the grass
+at her feet, and Robinette was soon eating the finest feast he had
+ever had.
+
+You may be sure, after having eaten these good things, Robinette
+was always watching for the ladies, and he hopped beside them and
+sang to them as they walked or worked in the garden. He was soon
+tame enough to eat from their hands, and Polly, looking upon him as
+a great curiosity, wished to show him off to some gentlemen
+friends. But Robinette obstinately refused to be made a spectacle
+of. Not the most enticing crumbs would bring him to her hands if
+strangers were near, particularly of the male sex. He had no faith
+in men.
+
+As the summer days passed away, and autumn came and went, the days
+became shorter and colder, and Robinette found his way into the
+house, and soon was as much at home there as in the garden. He
+made friends with the cook in the kitchen, and had many a rich meal
+when she was preparing the family dinner. He knew all the
+meal-times. He came in by the morning-room window in time for
+breakfast. But there he ran some risks. He sometimes encountered
+the table-maid, who was very cross with him; and perhaps not
+without reason, for he was not particular to wipe his feet before
+flying on to the clean white table-cloth, and often left the marks
+of his claws all over it; so she feared her mistress would insist
+on her changing the cloth. As this young woman especially disliked
+extra work, she used to frighten Robinette nearly out of his senses
+by shaking her duster at him and pretending to catch him.
+
+Whenever the ladies came downstairs he was quite safe. They let him
+do what he liked. He tasted the bacon, he feasted on butter, he
+burned his toes on the tea-pot--in fact, he did whatever came into
+his little head. At lunch he again presented himself, and he came
+to the drawing-room for afternoon tea.
+
+With all this high living he became a big, fat bird, and I am sorry
+to say he was very selfish and very jealous. He could not endure
+the thought of any other bird sharing his privileges, as the
+following incident proves.
+
+One morning after breakfast he heard a noise in the hall.
+
+"Whoever is Polly speaking to? It must be another bird," said he to
+himself. "That is the way she speaks to me. I must see to this. If
+it is another robin, I shall be the death of him."
+
+He ruffled up his feathers and flew into the hall, prepared to do
+battle with any intruder. He was very angry to hear Polly speak in
+such petting tones to any bird but himself, and he was tempted to
+give her ear a bite as he sat on her shoulder. He found he had put
+himself in a rage very needlessly. It was not another robin, but a
+little wren.
+
+"Oh!" he thought, "I wonder what she wants.--Good-day, Miss Wren;
+are you coming to live here?"
+
+"I was thinking of it," she replied, tossing her head; "but I don't
+think the society is very select."
+
+As she made this speech, she gave it point by looking straight at
+Robinette.
+
+"Indeed," he said, "you are rather a small person to have formed
+such a large opinion; but as you are so small, you are welcome to
+stay as long as you do not interfere with me."
+
+"Thank you for nothing, Cock Robin. I shall stay or I shall go
+without asking your leave."
+
+"You are a very rude bird, Jenny Wren."
+
+"Am I, Cock Robin? There are various opinions about that. What a
+great, fat, clumsy bird you are, to be sure! I would not have you
+for a husband though there were not another bird in the garden."
+
+"You will perhaps wait until you are asked, Miss Wren," replied
+Robinette, feeling he had better retire from the argument after
+this retort, for Jenny, like all females, would try to have the
+last word.
+
+Polly had been watching the birds fluttering towards each other,
+and was a little fearful Robinette might be rough with Jenny, so
+she was glad to see them part company after simply speaking, as she
+thought.
+
+This is the only incident worth mentioning that occurred during the
+winter months. Robinette's life was happy and comfortable. Free to
+come and go as he pleased, he always felt himself a guest--never a
+prisoner.
+
+At last winter was over, and the garden was beginning to have more
+attractions. There were some rather pretty Miss Robins flying
+about, and our bird thought he must go a-courting. He could not
+easily make up his mind whether he should bring a wife into the
+house, or whether he should go and live in the garden with her.
+Finally he decided on the latter plan.
+
+One very fine morning he dressed his feathers most carefully, saw
+that each one was lying exactly over the other, that his brown coat
+was perfect and his red waist-coat faultless. He practised his
+singing until his love-song was all he could wish it. He was
+wonderfully well satisfied with himself; but Jenny Wren's
+impertinent speeches would recur to his mind. The words fat and
+clumsy had especially annoyed him, and he never could altogether
+rid himself of their effect.
+
+As he flew past the greenhouse he saw a bucket with pure, clear
+water in it. He thought he would rest on the edge and take a drink.
+Imagine his delight when he saw reflected in the water a perfectly
+beautiful cock robin, as charming a bird as any one could desire to
+see. After such a vision, what cared he for Jenny Wren and her
+impudence? Away he went, flying up and down the garden, quite sure
+that no Miss Robin in her senses would say "no" to him.
+
+He rested a while on the branch of an apple-tree, while he
+meditated on the various Miss Robins, and considered to which he
+should pay his addresses. He was startled by a slight movement of
+some leaves just beneath him, and on looking down to find the
+cause, he saw his too candid friend Jenny.
+
+"So you are come out a-courting?" said she. "You are not a bit
+thinner. Which of the Miss Robins do you think will have you--a
+fat, over-fed house-bird?"
+
+"You are quite mistaken, Miss Wren, if you think I am out for any
+such purpose. I am only taking an airing this fine day. A-courting,
+indeed! A bird like you would frighten any bachelor. I am sorry for
+your husband, if you ever get one."
+
+Away he flew, for he did not like Miss Wren's remarks. You see, he
+had not mixed much with other birds, so he had not, as it were,
+found his level. He was in danger of thinking too much or too
+little of himself; and then, you perceive, he was thin-skinned.
+
+Poor birdie! That pert young Jenny had put his spirits down to his
+very toes. Had it not been for the glimpse he got in the bucket, he
+would have returned to the house discouraged for that day. However,
+like many other creatures, he did not know what the near future
+had in store for him.
+
+The time of day was noon, and he bethought him the kitchen dinner
+would be ready; so he prepared to fly towards the house, as he was
+very hungry. Just at this moment he caught sight of the gardener
+turning over some stuff for a hot-bed, and he also saw some fine,
+fat worms thrown to the surface by the fork. He concluded to dine
+there that day, and proceeded to make a very satisfactory meal. He
+had with some difficulty swallowed a very large worm, when he heard
+the gardener say, "Hush! gently; now we shall see some fun."
+Robinette looked up. He saw, and he loved. The daintiest Miss Robin
+in all the garden was hopping towards him. Alas! beside her was a
+fine cock robin, and they seemed on the pleasantest terms with each
+other, and hopped along, quite unaware of Robinette's presence. To
+be ignored was what he could not stand. So he came near to them,
+made a deep bow to the lady, and ruffled his feathers and scowled
+at his rival. A fierce rage and jealousy took possession of him. He
+would kill this bird or die in the fight. The other cock robin was
+as eager for the fray as he was; so these two little birds were
+soon fighting savagely for the lady of their choice. She watched
+the duel from a twig close by. She had made up her mind to marry
+the winner, and it did not seem to matter much which that was. Both
+were handsome; and the victor would prove himself the stronger. The
+birds were very equally matched, and fought for some time with
+varying fortune. At last, however, Robinette was conqueror, and he
+flew at once to the lady and claimed her as his bride. He knew he
+now had a right to her; but just in case her mind should waver
+towards another, he placed before her the advantages of an
+alliance with him, the chief one being that he could get as much
+food as ever they could eat, with very little trouble, and the food
+was of the most rare and nourishing kind.
+
+"I can get some for you now, for I see my friends in the garden,
+and Polly is sure to have crumbs in her pocket. Wait here until I
+come back."
+
+The ladies had come out for a stroll in the garden. What a garden
+that was! At almost any season it was beautiful, but in the summer
+it was a paradise alike for birds and human beings. It was
+surrounded by grand old trees of many kinds and flowering shrubs as
+large as trees. Then the wealth of roses and sweet-scented,
+old-fashioned flowers of all sorts, mixed here and there with their
+more modern sisters, made it a perfect dream of delight. How the
+town-wearied friends rejoiced when they were bidden to visit that
+garden! There their eyes were refreshed by the softly-blended
+colouring and exquisite beauty of the whole scene. They breathed in
+the delicious air, and thought it better than wine as a restorer of
+strength. No words can describe the feeling to the feet of those
+soft, green avenues--the grass so short that the most delicate
+could walk there without harm, and so smooth that a child's bare
+foot could run there scathless. That garden is now to those dear
+friends a place in their memory only. The ladies have passed away
+from it, and strangers are in possession.
+
+Excuse this digression.
+
+Robinette flew to Polly's hand.
+
+"So here you are, Bobbie. We wondered what had become of you, as
+you did not come in at lunch-time. Don't fill your mouth so full;
+you will choke yourself. Oh! he is off."
+
+Polly had held the crumbs for him as usual, and he just stuffed his
+mouth full and flew in the direction of the greenhouse.
+
+"Mother, Robinette must have a lady-love. He has taken the crumbs
+away; he did not swallow them."
+
+Mrs. Robinette was charmed with the crumbs--that kind of food
+suited her taste exactly; and she hoped her husband would keep her
+well supplied with them when she was too much occupied with other
+matters to seek food for herself. Robinette gallantly promised to
+do his best for her.
+
+Now it was time to seek a place for their nest, and begin building.
+Like most young people under similar circumstances, they were
+difficult to please. Robinette, having been so much accustomed to a
+house, thought the greenhouse the best place; Mrs. Robinette,
+knowing nothing about houses, thought a nice, thick bush much
+superior. She, like a good wife, gave in to her husband, and
+allowed him to choose the site for their nest. He selected a nice,
+quiet corner of the greenhouse, beside some large flower-pots that
+looked as if they had not been disturbed for a century. Here they
+would be safe from storms and cats and all creatures which terrify
+small birds. As evening was drawing on, our little lovers parted,
+having appointed a place to meet next morning at sunrise to begin
+to build their nest.
+
+The following day the sun rose bright and beautiful, making all
+things and creatures rejoice, and none more than our two little
+birds, who were soon as busy as possible, finding and bringing the
+materials necessary for their purpose.
+
+They had such a happy time building that nest; he was so gallant
+and she was so sweet. How he sang to her when she was tired, and
+what delicious crumbs he brought her! Some shortbread had been
+sent to Polly as a present, and it is such a crumbling cake that
+the birds feasted royally while it lasted.
+
+At last the nest was finished. The little builders looked it all
+over and could find no fault with it. As they were rather exhausted
+with their hard work, they agreed to rest themselves a while near
+the hot-bed where the memorable fight had taken place. There they
+could find plenty of worms without fatigue, and they would sleep or
+chat as they felt disposed. When they were sufficiently rested,
+they went back to look at their pretty, new house. Alas! alas! what
+desolation they found! The gardener, who had been cleaning his
+greenhouse, had moved the big, dirty flower-pots, and had thrown
+out the robins' nest. Poor, tired birds, they had to begin all over
+again. Mrs. Robinette burst into tears, saying,--
+
+"I told you not to choose a house to build in; I was sure a bush
+would have been safer. Do, dear husband, come away now to some
+other place; I do not like the men."
+
+Robinette was very angry at his work being spoiled, and he answered
+a little sharply,--
+
+"Nonsense, my dear; I am not going to be driven out of my way by a
+stupid old gardener. We shall build here again. Let us set to work
+at once; and if that man interferes I shall tell the mistress.
+Hallo! here is a piece of good-luck for us; he has only thrown it
+down here. To be sure, it is torn to pieces. But never mind; we
+shall soon have it up again."
+
+You see Robinette had a temper; but he was a cheery wee bird,
+inclined to make the best of things. When his anger had cooled, he
+chirped to his down-hearted little wife so brightly that she was
+obliged to pluck up spirit, and they were soon as merry as before
+the terrible misfortune.
+
+A few days after these events Mrs. Lewis came into her greenhouse,
+and seeing it look so much brighter and lighter than usual, she
+said to the gardener,--
+
+"You must acknowledge that the house looks better for being clean.
+Try to keep it so."
+
+"I'll try, ma'am; but it is not much use when these mischievous
+birds come in, bringing their stuff to build with. Just look there.
+I threw away a nest from that very spot three days ago, and there
+is another. And there is a robin in it."
+
+"It is Robinette," cried Polly. "I am sure it is.--Bobbie, come for
+crumbs."
+
+Robinette, sly bird, had been watching and listening; and when he
+saw that attention was drawn to the nest, he sat down in it as
+though he were the lady on her eggs, knowing well "the mistress"
+would give orders that he was not to be disturbed. And when she
+saw it was her own pet robin, of course she was more decided, and
+told the gardener he was on no account to take down the nest, and
+every possible arrangement was to be made for the comfort and
+happiness of Robinette and his wife.
+
+It is customary to close all stories when the hero marries. So,
+having come to the end of Robinette's bachelor days, we shall take
+leave of him and his bride, hoping that, now they are married, they
+will "live happy ever after."
+
+
+
+
+APPLE-PIE ORDER.
+
+
+What a bright, sunshiny forenoon! and how green the meadow looked
+before Simon Copland's farm! The thrush in the great thorn was
+singing loudly, and the old clock, which stood in its dark oak case
+in the corner of the kitchen, struck twelve as little Phoebe came
+into the porch.
+
+This little girl, though, whose face was so sad, and whose
+straw-hat hung so droopingly from her arm, was not like the Phoebe
+of most days, who, on her return from school about this hour, came
+popping her happy little face in at the door, and if dinner were
+ready, would eat hers quickly, and be off again.
+
+The kitchen at Simon Copland's was a long, large room, and had
+great beams across the ceiling, from which hung hams and other good
+things. Mrs. Copland was busy at the table, and near one of the
+windows sat her brother, Phoebe's uncle, Roger, who lived some
+miles away at pretty Lady's Mead, and who was very dear to his
+little niece. To him, however, she had no mind to go at present,
+and would have slipped upstairs; but he quickly spied out the
+little figure in the doorway, and opened his arms to her, saying,
+"Here's the little lass; give thy Uncle Rogie a kiss, Phoebe."
+There was no escape for Phoebe, and in a minute more she was on her
+uncle's knee, while his large forefinger was placed on the marks of
+tears on her cheeks, and his kind inquiring eyes asked as well as
+his words, "Phoebe, my lass, what ails thee?"
+
+Her mother turned round from the table. "What is it, Phoebe?" she
+said.
+
+And then came a burst of tears from the little girl, and a
+confession, poured into Uncle Roger's ear, of misfortunes that day,
+and many days before, at Mrs. Nott's school in the village; how
+diligently Phoebe had always prepared her lessons overnight, but
+how first one book was lost, and then another; and how to-day,
+because the pencil had been carelessly fastened to the slate, it
+too had disappeared, and was not there when wanted, and in
+consequence Margaret Prettyman had got above her--sly Margaret
+Prettyman, who often did not learn her lessons at all, but kept her
+place at the head of the class by writing down her task on a slip
+of paper, and keeping it in her hand while she repeated it; and
+how Mrs. Nott had said that Margaret was so tidy and Phoebe so
+careless; and how she reproved the latter when the class was over,
+and told her that, unless girls were tidy and careful, all their
+learning was of no use. "Every girl ought to keep herself and her
+things in apple-pie order," Mrs. Nott said. "And, O uncle," sobbed
+Phoebe, "I know I'm careless, but I never can remember to be tidy;
+and I can't keep apple-pie order, for I don't know what it is." And
+so, with many more tears, Phoebe's confession ended.
+
+"Well, child," said her mother, "it's as I've often told you. Your
+drawer is a shame to be seen; and I'm glad Mrs. Nott spoke to you
+as she did."
+
+Uncle Roger stroked his chin, and sat looking out through the
+window for a little, saying nothing, till Phoebe's sobs grew less
+frequent, and at last almost ceased. He then reached his hand
+through the open lattice, and pulling a little flower from among
+the creepers, gently raised Phoebe's face, saying,--
+
+"Look thee here, little niece; mark this small, pretty flower, with
+its white blossoms so perfect and tidy; look at the stalk below,
+and each little leaf upon it, regular, one after the other. There
+isn't one part of this pretty flower out of its place, Phoebe; and
+who made it?"
+
+Phoebe's sobs ceased altogether as she replied, "God, uncle."
+
+"And look there," Uncle Roger went on, drawing towards him as he
+spoke a large china dish, on which lay a beautiful honeycomb, which
+Mrs. Copland had set aside for a sick friend--"look at this too.
+See each cell, and each of these beautiful little arches; there is
+not one unlike its neighbour. What do you think of order like that,
+niece Phoebe? isn't it perfect?"
+
+"Yes, uncle," she whispered, quieted and wondering.
+
+"Well, little lass, our God, who made the pretty flower, and caused
+the bees to make the sweet honeycomb, is a God of order, and He
+loves order. He does not wish my little Phoebe to be the untidy
+little maid she is."
+
+Phoebe lay quiet for a few minutes, thinking to herself how kindly
+Uncle Roger always spoke to her, and how much easier it was to
+"feel good" with him than with Mrs. Nott or Margaret Prettyman.
+"But what did Mrs. Nott mean by 'apple-pie order,' uncle?" she said
+after a little, looking up in her uncle's face.
+
+Uncle Roger smiled and smoothed her hair, not saying anything for a
+moment or two; then, instead of answering her question, he asked,
+"When is your birthday, Phoebe?"
+
+"The twenty-sixth of next month," she replied quickly, and
+wondering very much.
+
+"Do you remember," continued Uncle Roger, "the custard feast I gave
+you last birthday? I've been asking your mother here to bring you
+over this year too to Lady's Mead, and I'll give you another feast,
+and father, and mother, and Bob, and little Charlie; and we'll have
+Uncle and Aunt Leyton, and little Mary-Anne to keep you company;
+and then, Niece Phoebe, I'm thinking of showing you by that time
+what apple-pie order is. Don't you know how good Uncle Roger's
+apple-pies are?"
+
+"O uncle!" cried Phoebe, clasping him closely round the neck; "how
+good you are to me, Uncle Roger--custards and apple-pies, and
+Cousin Mary-Anne!"
+
+"Fair and softly," said her uncle, loosening her hold. "You haven't
+heard it all yet, Phoebe. It is nearly a month till that, you
+know. Well, you must promise me that every day of that month you
+will please your mother by keeping your drawer, or whatever it is,
+as tidy as a nut; and I must have from Mrs. Nott a good account of
+your order and neatness. Mind, _every day_; no books lost, no
+pencils falling off, else no apple-pies for you, Niece Phoebe."
+
+Phoebe's face fell. "O uncle!" she said.
+
+Her mother looked round again. "Roger, you spoil the child," she
+exclaimed.
+
+"Not if I teach her order, Sister Marjory," was his reply.
+
+"I'll _try_, uncle," whispered Phoebe; and Uncle Roger kissed her.
+
+You all know the difference well, I don't doubt, betwixt _trying_
+and _doing_--how easy it seems to perform a promise at first, when
+resolves are fresh and strong, but how each day takes, as it were,
+a little bit of strength out of the wish to do the disagreeable
+duty. Little Phoebe was truly anxious to overcome her bad habit;
+and I can also say that, though apple-pies and custards, and her
+dear little cousin Mary-Anne's company, had at first given her an
+inducement to do so, yet after a little that part of it became very
+faint indeed in comparison with the wish to succeed in fulfilling
+her promise to Uncle Roger.
+
+Difficult enough the task was; and sometimes Phoebe felt as if the
+month would never pass. But the days went on somehow, and Mrs.
+Copland was much amused, and secretly much pleased, to see the
+important air with which her little daughter would retire daily to
+her small bedroom, next her father and mother's, and after a great
+deal of knocking about and noise overhead, would run downstairs,
+and coming to Mrs. Copland, say, "Please, mother, come and look at
+my drawer. I'm sure it's tidy."
+
+After a little time had passed, Mrs. Copland explained to her
+daughter the secret of true order; which is, not to keep things
+untidy, and to have constantly to _put them to rights_, but to
+_keep them right_--to put everything in its own place _at once_.
+This was a new part to learn in Phoebe's lesson, but she tried it,
+and heartily too; and things were going on in this way when, just
+two days before the month was over, there came a sad misfortune to
+her, which took away the hopes of apple-pies and other things which
+her birthday was to bring her.
+
+All this time she had been going regularly to Mrs. Nott's school,
+and the schoolmistress was much surprised at the change in her
+careless little pupil. Her companions, too, could not tell what
+had come to Phoebe Copland; and as for sly Margaret Prettyman, she
+was filled with dislike and envy of her little rival; for Phoebe,
+having put aside her careless habits, took her place as first in
+the class, and Margaret had been first till now.
+
+On this particular afternoon Mrs. Nott had given her girls an
+additional task to learn; and Phoebe, having a quarter of an hour
+to spare, sat down, as was her habit sometimes, to look over the
+lesson before leaving school. She was putting up her books, when
+one of the other girls, Esther Heywood, came to her with a message
+from her (Esther's) mother, asking Phoebe to step down to the Mill
+Farm, where the Heywoods lived. They had got a jar of fine
+citron-preserves, which the sailor son, Jem, had brought from
+across the seas to his mother; and she was going to send some over
+to Mrs. Copland to taste.
+
+"You might leave your books here," said Esther, "and I'll walk
+back a bit with you. We'll get them when we come."
+
+The citron-preserves were very, very good, and Phoebe was kept a
+little while at the Mill Farm to taste them, and to hear the
+wonderful things which Jem Heywood had to tell about the parrots
+and the beautiful birds in the countries where he had been; and
+then Phoebe started on her way home over the fields, and Esther
+with her. Sailor Jem said he'd "go a bit too with the girls," to
+see them "under way," as he called it; and it ended by Esther and
+Jem going the whole way with her, to carry her books, which they
+got as they passed the school-house.
+
+All the evening Jem was telling them such funny stories that she
+could not attend to her lessons, but went to bed quite tired with
+laughing, and dreamed that she was a parrot, and that Jem Heywood
+was teaching her tasks off by heart.
+
+Next morning, with the sunshine, up jumped Phoebe, to learn her
+lessons before going to school. She felt very happy. The next day
+but one was her birthday; and next day itself Uncle Roger would be
+over from Lady's Mead, she knew, and then she would tell him how
+faithfully she had kept her promise; and how pleased and kind he
+would look--she could fancy she saw his face so well. And singing a
+little song to herself, Phoebe sat down at her bedroom window,
+opening her books out before her on her knee. But there were only
+three books there, and she ought to have _four_.
+
+How Phoebe sought for that book--through all her drawers and her
+little room, then through the house, and lastly, down all the lane,
+and by every step of the path through the fields which they had
+crossed the evening before! Oh, what a weary search that was, and
+what a sad story to tell her mother, when, _without_ the book,
+Phoebe returned.
+
+If Mrs. Copland looked so vexed, what would Uncle Roger be? And
+then all the happy birthday pleasures which she had lost! She would
+have to dine with little Charlie, she knew, and to feel as if in
+disgrace all day; and in disgrace even Lady's Mead itself could
+bring her no pleasure. Poor little Phoebe!
+
+Her mother would not allow her to stay at home from school, but
+said she must tell Mrs. Nott the plain truth, and, if she had time
+before the class began, learn the lesson from some of the other
+girls' books. Fortunately, the missing task was that which Phoebe
+had learned before leaving the school the day before; but, owing to
+her haste and agitation, it was so incorrectly repeated that
+Margaret Prettyman again triumphantly took her place at the head of
+the class. It was hard enough to see Margaret's malicious face as
+she pushed past, and Phoebe had much trouble in choking down her
+temper and her tears at the same time.
+
+The next day Esther Heywood came to meet her with a very sorrowful
+face, and told her that Jem had been "all up the fields" the
+evening before, searching the path they had gone by, and that he
+had looked into every nook and corner he could think of, but he
+could not see the book anywhere. His opinion was, though, that
+Uncle Roger would never keep to his word; that he would never
+disappoint Phoebe on her birthday for such a trifle.
+
+Phoebe shook her head. "Uncle Roger always keeps his word," she
+said. "I'll be in disgrace, I know, though perhaps I'll go to
+Lady's Mead all the same; but that will be quite as bad as not
+going at all."
+
+Hardest of all it was when Uncle Roger came over that afternoon.
+Mrs. Copland had to tell him the story, for Phoebe was so drowned
+in tears that she could not speak a word. Uncle Roger looked grave
+when he heard how it was, but soothed his weeping little niece
+kindly, and gave her no reproof. He spoke little or nothing about
+the following day, only saying, while stroking her hair as usual,
+"Well, my little maid, we must stick to our bargain. Apple-pie
+order must wait till next year, I fancy; but come over all the
+same, and welcome, to Lady's Mead. You and Mary-Anne can have your
+romp together; and you must forget it's your own birthday, that's
+all. I'm just about as much pleased with you for your last month's
+doings as if all your books were safe in your bag, mind you that;
+and now wipe your tears, my little lass."
+
+The next morning rose as bright and beautiful as you could well
+wish to see, and Phoebe, seated by her father behind the old grey
+horse Robin, with her mother and Charlie in the back seat, almost
+forgot her sorrows while driving down the sweet, shady lanes in all
+their beautiful autumn colours, and while looking forward to Lady's
+Mead, and the delight of seeing her dear little cousin Mary-Anne.
+
+Lady's Mead was such a pretty place, with a very large orchard full
+of rosy-cheeked apples; and there was a dairy, large, and cool, and
+sweet, with great bowls of delicious milk, and such a beautifully
+white, clean floor. Out of doors there was a swing, and a pretty
+mossy summer-house down by the stream, and such delightful little
+paths through clipped yew hedges, and an old sun-dial on the grass,
+and in one corner a stone figure of a little boy kneeling, with his
+hands clasped and his face looking up to heaven. It was altogether
+such a place as children did not weary of; and had it not been for
+little Phoebe's late troubles, she would have been as joyous as the
+birds which were singing in the trees all round them.
+
+There were many "rubs" to bear, though; first, the meeting with her
+uncle and aunt and Mary-Anne, and receiving from them no happy
+birthday wishes as usual; and then seeing her brother Bob's
+disappointed face when he came over from the county town where he
+was serving his apprenticeship, bringing with him a nice little
+parcel, which looked very like a doll, wrapped up in thin brown
+paper, and stowed away in one of his pockets for his little sister.
+The parcel was not taken out, however.
+
+Cousin Mary-Anne, who was a dear, good little girl, no sooner heard
+that Phoebe was to dine at a side-table with little Charlie,
+instead of the treat of sitting at the great long one with the
+older people, than she declared that she would do so too; and
+though Phoebe would not listen to this at first, yet Mary-Anne
+would have it so, and it was accordingly settled. She proved
+herself, too, such a good little comforter and companion, that
+Phoebe became quite cheerful again, though perhaps their play was
+not quite so merry as usual.
+
+First they went to the poultry-yard, where there was a brood of
+very fine little ducklings, just hatched, to see. Then to the
+dairy, where they both were allowed to pat away at the butter and
+make it up for tea. Then Matty, the dairy-maid, said that she must
+leave the dairy, and that they must go too; so they sauntered away
+down by the stream to the pretty summer-house. They were glad to
+get there, because of the shade, for the sun was hot, and they were
+tired with butter-making. So for some little time they sat
+resting, and making boats of the large leaves, to float down the
+stream.
+
+By-and-by they heard a step coming quickly down the path towards
+them, and directly afterwards Bob came hurrying into the
+summer-house, saying, "Phoebe, come along; Uncle Roger's seeking
+you.--And you, Mary-Anne, if you like, you little duck;" and with
+that Bob gave a loud "hurrah," which made both the girls spring to
+their feet in astonishment.
+
+"But why, Bob?" asked Phoebe excitedly, as he hurried them along,
+one in each hand, as fast as they could go up the path.
+
+"Never you mind," said Bob--"you'll soon know;" and then he gave
+another "hurrah" and jumped like a madman.
+
+On they rushed, through the orchard, round the yew hedge, and so
+past the old dial, and over the grass, on to the house. At the
+window, which was a very large one, Phoebe saw quite a crowd; for
+they were all collected there, and amongst them, to her
+astonishment, stood tall Jem Heywood. When she and Bob and
+Mary-Anne came in sight, he set up a cheer, in which little Charlie
+joined lustily; and Phoebe turned first red and then pale, and at
+last stopped altogether in fright and bewilderment, dragging the
+two others back with her. Then her father's face looked out and
+smiled to her, and then her mother's and Aunt Leyton's; and then
+out came Uncle Roger, and Phoebe was lifted on his shoulder, and
+carried through the midst of the smiling faces to where the dinner
+was laid out.
+
+There she saw a little bower of green branches over a chair at
+Uncle Roger's right hand, at the end of the table; and on this
+chair, under the boughs, Uncle Roger set her down, while before her
+rose the most enormous apple-pie you can imagine! Instead of crust,
+which it looked like, its cover was of china-ware; and Uncle Roger
+raised it in his hand when every one had sat down all round the
+table, and there--what do you think? Phoebe saw the wonderful pie
+filled, not with apples, but with beautiful birthday gifts--Bob's
+doll, dressed all in pink ribbons and lace; a little straw-hat,
+trimmed with bright blue ribbons, from Aunt Leyton; a pretty china
+cottage, covered with roses, from Mary-Anne; a beautiful little
+work-box, lined with red silk, and filled with every pretty, useful
+thing for sewing, and also a crown-piece in it, from her father and
+mother; and better than all these, a small Bible, beautifully bound
+in purple velvet, with gold clasps, from Uncle Roger; and beside
+this lay _another book_, and with a cry of surprise Phoebe saw
+before her, torn and stained, her own lost lesson-book! What a
+cheer rose up all round the table! And sailor Jem cheered louder
+than any one. But all this joy was too much for poor Phoebe, and
+she fell a-crying on Uncle Roger's shoulder.
+
+If any of you wish to know how the lost book was found again, I
+must tell you what Jem Heywood said about it, though it won't be in
+his own words.
+
+He had been down the evening before at Mrs. Prettyman's (Margaret's
+mother), and one of the little ones having come toddling into the
+room, Jem had lifted it on his knee, taking as he did so a crushed,
+torn book out of its hand. On the fly-leaf, though almost torn
+away, Jem read, to his surprise, the first letters of Phoebe's
+name. The child said it had got the book "in Maggie's bag." Then
+Margaret came in herself, and Jem asked her what was the meaning of
+this. Her angry, guilty face and confused replies immediately
+roused his suspicions; and on going home he took care to let his
+sister Esther know all he had seen and heard. The truth was soon
+found out. It was Margaret who had done this spiteful thing, to
+bring disgrace upon Phoebe.
+
+Can you all picture to yourselves Phoebe's joy on this happy
+evening? How grateful she was to Jem Heywood, and how the hours
+flew away, supper-time coming before the games seemed half done!
+Phoebe found time, though, for a long, happy talk with Uncle Roger;
+and it was then she told him how she had made up her mind not to
+quarrel with Margaret because of all this, but to try, if possible,
+to be better friends than before; for she now saw, she said, that
+their quarrelling had brought all this about.
+
+I may as well add here, as some of you may wish to know, that
+Phoebe's resolution had its own reward, for her change of conduct
+seemed to bring about a change in Margaret's too. Of course this
+took some time, for bad feelings cannot be rooted up all at once.
+But as the months passed on, every one could see a great
+improvement in Margaret. Little beginnings often bring much greater
+endings; and Margaret could look back afterwards to this time with
+feelings of gratitude for the lesson which had been taught her by
+means of one forgiving little heart.
+
+On this birthday night Uncle Roger was much pleased to hear Phoebe
+speak as she did; and her happiness was quite full when, drawing
+her on his knee, he added, "And my little Phoebe has shown me that,
+with God's help, she has learned the meaning of 'APPLE-PIE ORDER.'"
+
+
+
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