Rusty Wren’s cousin, Long Bill, lived in the reeds on the bank of Black Creek. Although everybody called him “Long Bill,” like Rusty Wren he was actually short and chubby. His bill, however, was much longer than Rusty’s. You see, he belonged to one branch of the Marsh Wren family; and they all had bills like that.
Long Bill Wren always claimed that his real name was William; but people generally smiled when he made that statement.
It was not often that Rusty met this cousin of his, for Rusty seldom ventured so far from home as Black Creek. And being very fond of water, Long Bill did not care to spend any of his valuable time in Farmer Green’s dooryard.
Of course, there was the duck pond not far away—and the river, too. But the only water really close to Rusty’s home was the watering-trough. And that was entirely too small to please Long Bill Wren. So no one ever saw him around the farm buildings.
For a long time Rusty had neither seen nor heard of his cousin, when one day Jolly Robin knocked at his door.
“I won’t come in,” said Jolly (of course he couldn’t have, anyhow—being far too big to get through Rusty’s door!). “I won’t come in, for I merely want to give you a message. Old Mr. Crow came to the orchard to-day and he asked me to deliver an invitation from your cousin who lives near Black Creek.”
“That’s Long Bill!” Rusty Wren exclaimed.
Jolly Robin nodded. “He’s going to have a party,” he explained. “And he wants you to come to it.”
“When will it take place?” Rusty asked eagerly.
“To-morrow!” said Jolly Robin.