"My gracious!" Jolly Robin exclaimed. "Then you don't mind cold weather."
Major Monkey asked him what he meant. And it surprised him to learn that all winter long deep snow lay upon the ground, and cold winds blew, and fierce storms often raged.
Though it was a hot summer's day, Major Monkey shivered at the mere mention of such things. And he pulled his red cap further down upon his head.
"If that's the case," he said, "I certainly don't want to spend the winters here.... I don't see how you manage to live through them."
Jolly Robin laughed merrily. "Bless you!" he cried. "I don't stay here the year 'round. As soon as it begins to grow chilly I go South, where it's warm."
Now, Major Monkey looked worried when he heard about the bitter winters in Pleasant Valley. His queer face had screwed itself into even more wrinkles than it usually wore. But as soon as Jolly Robin spoke of going to a warmer place, the Major brightened at once.
"I'm going South too!" he cried. "And if you've no objection we'll travel together."
Jolly Robin said that nothing would please him more.
"I shall be glad to go with you—if my wife doesn't object," he assured the Major.
"Oh! She won't mind," said Major Monkey. "She can go with us. We'll make up a party.... She'll be lucky to go anywhere with such a famous traveller as I am."