"And you're taking your umbrella?" Jasper asked, as if he were greatly astonished.
"Why—yes!" Mr. Crow answered. "You seem surprised."
"I am," said Jasper Jay with a sad shake of his head. "I'd hate to risk it, if I were you. There'll be some rough young fellows there and you're likely to lose your umbrella. I'm afraid they'll take it away from you."
Old Mr. Crow looked worried.
"I don't know what to do," he said anxiously. "It's an important meeting. They're expecting me. And I'm late, as it is. If I go back home and leave my umbrella I'm afraid they'll think I'm not coming."
"I suppose I could help you just this once," Jasper Jay remarked. "Of course, it's not a thing I'd do for everybody. But since you're my cousin, if you want me to do it I'll take care of your umbrella until you come back again."
"Will you wait right here?" Mr. Crow asked him.
"Yes!"
"Will you promise not to spread the umbrella?"
At that question Jasper Jay's face fell. But pretty soon he said cheerfully: