"You see," Phyllis went on, in her coaxing little voice, "my brother Jack, being a boy, said he would be the one to see the first robin this year.
"But I made up my mind that if watchful eyes and careful ears could help a little girl, I would get ahead of Jack.
"Sure enough, the first thing I heard this morning was your sweet song. When did you arrive? Aren't you rather early?"
By this time the robin was on the ground, pecking away at the grain. As he ate his breakfast he told his story.
[Illustration: "By this time the robin was on the ground"
(missing from book)]
"I have been south all winter long," he said. "It is very lovely in the southland. Food is plenty, the days are long, and the sunshine is golden, bright, and warm.
"But as soon as the spring days came I grew restless. I knew the snow was beginning to melt and the grass to grow green in my old home country. I wanted to start north at once.
"I spoke to my little mate about it, and found her to be as homesick as I. So we flew north a little earlier than usual this year, and arrived ahead of the others. We are now quite anxious to get to housekeeping, and are already looking for a suitable place for a nest."
"If you will build near us," said Phyllis, "I will help you care for your little ones. I will give you all the crumbs that you can eat."