But Hermit flitted his wings and cocked his head sideways. “For some reason I don’t feel like singing, Bumper,” he said. “I can’t explain it, but I’ve simply lost my voice.”
Bumper laughed good-naturedly. “That’s funny,” he replied. “A moment ago you were singing so sweetly that I could hardly think for listening to you.”
“Yes, I know, but I can’t any more. Do you ever have a feeling that something’s going to happen? You can’t tell just what it is or when it’s coming, but you know it’s in the air. Well, that’s the way I felt all of a sudden, and my voice left me.”
“You shouldn’t give away to such feelings, Hermit,” laughed Bumper. “You know there’s nothing in such—”
Before he could finish, Black Cap the Chickadee flitted down from a high branch, and exclaimed breathlessly: “What’s the matter! Something’s going to happen! I feel it!”
“Yes,” replied Hermit gravely, “I was just telling Bumper I felt it, but he laughed at me.”
“Well, now, if two of you have the same feeling,” added Bumper more gravely, “maybe there is something in the air that disturbs you. Perhaps we’re going to have a storm.”
“No, it isn’t a storm,” said Black Cap, shaking his head. “I know that feeling, and this is different.”
Once more there was a flutter of wings among the branches, and Yellow Breast the Chat dropped down to the side of Hermit and Black Cap.
“I’m all in a flutter,” he said. “I can’t make it out. Something’s wrong. I just know it. I feel it in my bones. I just had to come down here for company until the strange feeling goes away.”