CHAPTER V
SORROW IN THE NEST
"I do not think," said Molly, "that I shall ever learn to fly."
"O, don't be afraid!" cried Jack, soothingly. "We'll all help you."
"I am not afraid, but I cannot get away from the nest."
"Why not?" asked Mrs. Robin, in surprise. "Why not?" repeated Jack and Katy.
"Because my foot is fastened to the bottom of it," replied poor Molly, in a mournful tone.
Her mother hopped to her side, and endeavored to remove a long piece of worsted thread, which was woven into the nest, and was now firmly twisted about Molly's leg.
"How long has this been done?" she asked, in an anxious tone.
"I first discovered it last night," said the patient bird. "Every time I tried to stir, it bound me firmer than before. I have endeavered to remove it with my beak, but I think I have only made it worse. Now I fear I can never learn to fly."
"Dear Molly," said Jack, pressing his neck to hers.
"I will stay in the nest with you," said the tender-hearted Katy.
Mrs. Robin said nothing, but after flying to the top of the tree to see whether her husband was in sight, she began to pull at the string; but every motion made poor Molly utter a cry of pain.
"I must be content to remain quietly in the nest," she faltered, in a touching tone of sadness.
Jack and Katy began to chirp most piteously, and continued to do so until their father returned.
In the mean time Dick went on eating until he could scarcely move; and when he began to think it was time to return to the nest, he was so heavy and stupid that he could not raise his wings. He heard the continued chirping of his brother and sister, and said to himself, "Probably they are anxious about me; but I will let them see that I can take care of myself."
As he said this he tried to feel very brave, but he really longed for the pleasant nest and the shelter of his mother's wings.
Just then he heard the cockrel crowing right merrily. He had often heard it before; but now it sounded dreadfully loud and near at hand; and indeed it was so, for presently Mr. Cock came marching by, his head erect, and the comb on his foretop glowing like fire.
Dick ran to the lilac bush, and trying to conceal himself in some of the lower branches, trembled like a leaf in the wind. Here at last he fell asleep, with his head tucked under his wing.
When Mr. Robin returned from his labor of love, he found his wife and family in deep affliction. Poor Molly lay exhausted at the bottom of the nest, her limb being more firmly secured to it by the exertions of her mother to remove it. Jack and Katy kept up a succession of plaintive cries, while their mother hopped from one bough to another, her tail jerking and her wings flapping in distress.
They all began at once to repeat the sad story of Molly's detention, which Mr. Robin listened to with sharp cries of pain. He hopped into the nest, but the poor bird begged so earnestly not to be disturbed at present, that he postponed trying to remove the string until another day.
"Come, darlings," said he, "I will sing you a song, to try to cheer your spirits."
He flew to the Observatory at the top of the tree, and warbled forth, —
"See, the morning lights the skies;
Open, birdie, ope your eyes;
The trees begin to blossom fair,
And fling their odors on the air;
And every balmy zephyr brings
Health and sweetness on its wings.
The plants within