The Nest in the Honeysuckles | Page 5

by this delicate attention, indicating
so high a regard for her, and such anxiety to preserve her esteem. I
should not wonder if she was a little proud of her handsome husband.
However this may be, I am sure it is her greatest happiness to deserve
his respect and love, and honourably to perform all the duties which
devolve upon her in her married life.
Madam Robin was sitting one day in her vine-shaded home, looking
out through the slender branches of the honeysuckle, which were gently
swayed by a refreshing breeze, when she heard a slight tap. She
listened eagerly. Another tap--presently another. How her heart
fluttered! It proceeded from one of those highly-prized eggs, and she
knew it was the timid knock of a birdling, who was in that little
chamber, and was waiting to have the door opened. Of how small
consequence all her self-denial and her seclusion from general society
seemed, when that thrilling tap sounded on her ear! She continued to
listen, and within those four tiny chambers she heard the same rapping
repeated; and more than that, the sweet word, Mother, might seem
faintly to greet her ear. How she longed for her mate to return, that he
might enjoy, with her, this new happiness! When husband and wife
love each other, as they should, all pleasure must be shared, or it will
still be imperfect. She waited, almost impatiently for his coming; and
when he alighted on the honeysuckle, she looked so full of grateful joy,
that he knew that something more than usual must have occurred. He
affectionately kissed her bill, and then, in a low tremulous voice, she
told him the glad news. He was quite as much pleased as she, although
he did not appear so excited. Had employment in the open air given a
firmness to his nerves, which her sedentary occupations had not done
for her? Yet beneath that calm exterior, his sparkling eye plainly
revealed the full tide of emotion within.
It was pleasant music to their ears to hear those four new voices in their
secluded home; and though they knew it would increase their labour to
provide food for those gaping mouths, what cared they for their own
comfort, if they could nurture their precious charge, and rear them to be
an honour and a blessing?

When the doors of their chambers were quite open, out came the
baby-birds, with a few downy feathers covering them!
"How very little they are!" said Eddie, with one breath; and, "How big
their mouths are!" with the next. To be sure, they do look very small,
and their mouths are very large for such diminutive bodies, and they
open them so wide that it almost seems as if one of them could jump
down another's throat.
The robin now often comes home, and brings food to his family. It is
gratifying to see how attentive he is to his dear children and their
mother; and I hope I may be able, some day, to tell you that they repay
his attachment, by growing up fine, obedient birds. It will not be long
before their education will be commenced, and I will tell you whether
they are taught at home, or are sent away to school, and what progress
they make in acquiring their accomplishments.

CHAPTER V.
HOME LIFE AND HOME EDUCATION.
The birdlings still live in the honeysuckles.
"How they do grow!" Eddie exclaims, when he looks at them. "I
shouldn't think they could ever have lived in those little eggs."
They are now almost half as large as the old birds. They are well
covered with feathers, and their mottled breasts are very pretty.
"They don't have to dress as we do," said Eddie. "Their clothes grow."
And he thinks it would be a great convenience if his clothes grew too,
for then they would always be large enough for him, and his mother
would not have so much sewing to do.
Sometimes these little birds lie in the bottom of the nest, quietly
sleeping, while their father and mother are both away, getting them
food. At other times they feel wide awake. Then they stretch their

wings, stand upon their feet, and peep over the side of the nest. From
the parlour-window, the children can look up directly at their secluded
home, and can see them amusing themselves and practising their
lessons. The honeysuckle grows almost as fast as the birds, and the
tender, overhanging branches make a roof which keeps off all the rain.
The old birds are mindful of their children, but do not consider it
necessary to be with them all the time. So other parents endeavour to
implant good principles in the hearts of their children, and then leave
them to their self-control;