Father Thrift lifted his hand for order.
When things were quiet, and the birds had gathered around him, the queer little old man stood up. In a soft and somewhat sad voice he said to the birds:
“My friends, let us act calmly and justly. Let us consider well before we decide on the punishment which these boys should receive if they are found guilty.”
“But,” protested Mr. Robin, “they climbed into our tree and stole our eggs.”
“They ruined my home,” cried Cousin Bluebird, “and they wasted your apples in doing it!”
“Yes, and they knocked down my nest and broke all the eggs in it,” added Mr. Kingbird.
“They broke my leg with a stone from a sling shot,” piped Brown Thrasher.
“And they killed my poor husband,” cried Mrs. Bobolink.