“Not a scratch!” said Robert Robin, “but see the sparrow feathers on the ground under this tree!”
“Well! Well!” said Cousin Phineas. “There are enough sparrow feathers to make a nest!”
“I pulled one out!” shouted little Sheldon, and sure enough the bold little robin was still holding a sparrow’s feather in his bill.
“He is so much like his father!” said Mrs. Robin, “and some day he will be a great big man-robin and whip all the naughty sparrows, just like Daddy does!”
“He makes me think of our young Timothy!” said Cousin Phineas. “I am sorry he is not here! He is a very bright youngster! My folks have gone south for the Winter, but you must stay overnight with me, just the same.”
“We just dropped in to make a call, but, as you say, it is getting rather late, so if it is not too much trouble, we will accept your invitation to remain overnight!” said Robert Robin.
“Good! Then we will spend the night at the Reformatory!” said Cousin Phineas, as he led the way over to the Reformatory trees.
Neither Cousin Phineas nor Robert Robin felt like singing a “Good-night” song, so little Sheldon perched on the top of a tall elm and sang one himself.
“Very good, Sheldon!” said Robert Robin.
“Very good, Sheldon!” said Cousin Phineas. “You have a very remarkable youngster there, Cousin Robert! He can sing a song and knows neither the tune nor the words! Very remarkable! Very remarkable!”