grateful joy, that he knew that something more than usual must have
occurred. He affectionately kissed her bill, and then, in a low
tremulous voice, she told him the glad news. He was quite as much
pleased as she, although he did not appear so excited. Had employment
in the open air given a firmness to his nerves, which her sedentary
occupations had not done for her? Yet beneath that calm exterior, his
sparkling eye plainly revealed the full tide of emotion within.

It was pleasant music to their ears to hear those four new voices in
their secluded home; and though they knew it would increase their
labour to provide food for those gaping mouths, what cared they for
their own comfort, if they could nurture their precious charge, and
rear them to be an honour and a blessing?

When the doors of their chambers were quite open, out came the
baby-birds, with a few downy feathers covering them!

"How very little they are!" said Eddie, with one breath; and, "How big
their mouths are!" with the next. To be sure, they do look very small,
and their mouths are very large for such diminutive bodies, and they
open them so wide that it almost seems as if one of them could jump
down another's throat.

The robin now often comes home, and brings food to his family. It is
gratifying to see how attentive he is to his dear children and their
mother; and I hope I may be able, some day, to tell you that they
repay his attachment, by growing up fine, obedient birds. It will not
be long before their education will be commenced, and I will tell you
whether they are taught at home, or are sent away to school, and what
progress they make in acquiring their accomplishments.