"Yes, I know you're hungry," answered their mamma, who understood their
bird talk. "Well, I'll fly away and get you something to eat just as soon
as your papa comes home to stay in the house. You know Mr. Wren went away
last night to see about getting a new position in a feather pillow
factory," said Mrs. Wren to Uncle Wiggily, "and he doesn't yet know about
the birdies. I hope he'll come back soon, as they are very hungry, and I
don't like to leave them alone to go shopping."

"Oh, I'll stay and take care of them for you while you go to the store,"
said the old gentleman rabbit, kindly.

"That will do very well," said Mrs. Wren. So she put on her bonnet and
shawl and took her market basket and off she flew to the store, while
Uncle Wiggily stayed with the new birdies, and they snuggled down under
his warm fur, and were as cozy as in their own mother's feathers.

Well, Mrs. Wren was gone some time, as the store was crowded and she
couldn't get waited on right away, and Uncle Wiggily stayed with the
birdies. And they got hungrier and hungrier, and they cried real hard.
Yes, indeed, as hard as some babies.

"Hum! I don't know what to do," said the old gentleman rabbit. "I can't
feed them. I guess I'll sing to them." So he sang this song:

"Hush, birdies, hush,
Please don't cry;
Mamma'll be back
By and by.