That very day the leaves of the big basswood turned brown, and were dead, but the leaves of the apple trees still shone with a glossy green. The apple tree seemed to like the frost.
Robert Robin did not sing at all, he felt as if he had lost something.
In the afternoon Mrs. Robin said: “When do we go across the lakes, and over the mountains, and along the river to the great bay?”
“We might start to-day,” answered Robert Robin. “Let us call the children and go at once. We should be able to get as far as Watkins Glen, or Elmira.”
“Then we could sleep in the Glen!” said Mrs. Robin.
“There are too many crows in the Glen!” said Robert Robin, “but if we reached Elmira, we might stay with Cousin Phineas, who lives on the Heights!”
“Let us call the children and start right away!” said Mrs. Robin.
All the youngster robins came hurrying at the call, except little Sheldon. But little Sheldon could not be found, and though all the robins searched and called he did not answer nor come in sight.
“Where can that child be?” said Mrs. Robin. “We cannot go south and leave him here all alone!”
“No!” said Robert Robin. “That would never do! The owls might get him!”