CHAPTER V
SORROW IN THE NEST
"I do not think," said Molly, "that I shall ever learn to fly."
"O, don't be afraid!" cried Jack, soothingly. "We'll all help you."
"I am not afraid, but I cannot get away from the nest."
"Why not?" asked Mrs. Robin, in surprise. "Why not?" repeated Jack and Katy.
"Because my foot is fastened to the bottom of it," replied poor Molly, in a mournful tone.
Her mother hopped to her side, and endeavored to remove a long piece of worsted thread, which was woven into the nest, and was now firmly twisted about Molly's leg.
"How long has this been done?" she asked, in an anxious tone.
"I first discovered it last night," said the patient bird. "Every time I tried to stir, it bound me firmer than before. I have endeavered[**endeavoured?] to remove it with my beak, but I think I have only made it worse. Now I fear I can never learn to fly."
"Dear Molly," said Jack, pressing his neck to hers.
"I will stay in the nest with you," said the tender-hearted Katy.
Mrs. Robin said nothing, but after flying to the top of the tree to see whether her husband was in sight, she began to pull at the string; but every motion made poor Molly utter a cry of pain.
"I must be content to remain quietly in the nest," she faltered, in a touching tone of sadness.
Jack and Katy began to chirp most piteously, and continued to do so until their father returned.
In the mean time Dick went on eating until he could scarcely move; and when he began to think it was time to return to the nest, he was so heavy and stupid that he could not raise his wings. He heard the continued chirping of his brother and sister, and said to himself, "Probably they are anxious about me; but I will let them see that I can take care of myself."
As he said this he tried to feel very brave, but he really longed for the pleasant nest and the shelter of his mother's wings.
Just then he heard the [**cockerel?]cockrel crowing right merrily. He had often heard it before; but now it sounded dreadfully loud and near at hand; and indeed it was so, for presently Mr. Cock came marching by, his head erect, and the comb on his foretop glowing like fire.
Dick ran to the lilac bush, and trying to conceal himself in some of the lower branches, trembled like a leaf in the wind. Here at last he fell asleep, with his head tucked under his wing.
When Mr. Robin returned from his labor of love, he found his wife and family in deep affliction. Poor Molly lay exhausted at the bottom of the nest, her limb being more firmly secured to it by the exertions of her mother to remove it. Jack and Katy kept up a succession of plaintive cries, while their mother hopped from one bough to another, her tail jerking and her wings flapping in distress.
They all began at once to repeat the sad story of Molly's detention, which Mr. Robin listened to with sharp cries of pain. He hopped into the nest, but the poor bird begged so earnestly not to be disturbed at present, that he postponed trying to remove the string until another day.
"Come, darlings," said he, "I will sing you a song, to try to cheer your spirits."
He flew to the Observatory at the top of the tree, and warbled forth, —
"See, the morning lights the skies;
Open, birdie, ope your eyes;
The trees begin to blossom fair,
And fling their odors on the air;
And every balmy zephyr brings
Health and sweetness on its wings.
The plants within the garden beds
Begin to lift their pretty heads.
We, merry birds, extend our throats,
And carol forth our sweetest notes.
The hen, with all her little brood,
Comes clucking round the door for food;
Around the yard the pigeons fly;
The stately geese, with heads so high,
Are marching off to swim and scream,
And sport upon the glassy stream.
The fields are smiling all around;
You cannot hear one jarring sound;
There's nothing harsh, there's nothing sad,
But all seems beautiful and glad.
O, how delightful all we see!
And if to robins, such as we,
So much of loveliness is given,
How very charming must be heaven!"
CHAPTER VI
KATY'S FLIGHT
The next morning Molly felt quite refreshed. "My foot," she said, in answer to her mother's inquiries, "feels quite free from pain. I am convinced that it is my lot to remain quietly at home; and I will try to bear it as cheerfully as I can."
"Dear Molly," whispered her mother.
"Darling sister," repeated Jack and Katy.
Dick said nothing, but looked stupidly from one to the other, wondering what they could mean. He had returned to the nest late the previous evening, and had not heard of his sister's affliction.
Mr. Robin sat on his favorite bough, gazing sadly at the poor bird. He had not yet tried to relieve her, and notwithstanding his wife's fears, indulged strong hopes of being able to remove the string without breaking the tender limb.
"I cannot be really unhappy," continued Molly, looking cheerfully around, "while you are all so kind. To be sure, I have longed for the time when I could fly from bough to bough, or skim through the clear air; and I have hoped, when I was old enough, to find a mate and rear a family of my own in the same sweet, peaceful happiness as our dear parents have reared us; but now I resign all these innocent joys, and find my delight in sharing yours.
"Come, dear Katy," she added, "let me no longer detain you from your morning flight. I long to see how gracefully you will raise your pinions and soar away."
"Sweetest and best of sisters," murmured Katy, in a loving tone, "every moment I love you better than before, and am more sorry to leave you;" and she nestled closely to Molly's side.
"You will soon return, dear one," said her sister, tenderly; "and remember there will always be one heart in the nest that will welcome you with joy. Go now, love, and treasure up all you hear and see, to cheer me in my solitude."
While this beautiful interchange of affection was taking place, Mr. and Mrs. Robin, the delighted parents, were sitting near, their hearts every moment swelling with pleasure.
"Now," said the tender mother to herself, "I am well repaid for all my care and watchfulness of my beloved children; for all my share of the labor of building a nest; for the long days and nights, through cold and rain, that I have sheltered my eggs, until at last I have seen the dear ones come forth.
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