CHAPTER IV.
GETTING WORMS.
"Come, Dick," said Mrs. Robin, in an encouraging tone, after she had related Jack's delight at his success. "Come, now, or your little sisters will learn to fly before you do."
"I don't feel at all afraid," chirped Katy; "now Jack has learned, I know I can."
"That is right, my dear," said her mother. "But come, Dick, your father is getting impatient."
Dick reluctantly hopped up on the side of the nest.
"Now," said Mr. Robin, "I will give you one more chance to retrieve your character. Spread your wings and fly away, or be content to remain in the nest without food. For I will no longer feed so disobedient and obstinate a bird."
Mrs. Robin hopped from branch to branch uneasily, while her husband was speaking. She would not be guilty of the impropriety of interrupting him; but she feared he was making a threat his parental affection would not allow him to execute. "O, I'm sure Dick will try to be as brave as his brother!" she said; "look, how he is enjoying himself, picking his fill, and chirping to the dear little girl!"
"I'll chirp one, two, three," said his father, "and don't let me find you here when I'm through."
Dick, though very much afraid, was more than half inclined to venture. His father's threat of leaving him without food had terrified him; and then he saw Jack in the enjoyment of plenty; but he could not quite make up his mind to let go of the nest.
"Chirp, chirp," cried his father. Dick trembled, and at last ventured to hop to the next bough; and before Mr. Robin had repeated the last chirp, his mother went behind him and pushed him off.