leave him, till he thought of Rob and his birds.

As they went back in the coach, Mrs. Ben-son said that Mr. Wil-son's tale should make all take care of their live stock for their own sakes; "but," said she," this will give more joy if it is done from a kind heart, as well as that it pays back what care you give."

Har-ri-et said she had a hope she might not treat beasts ill, for the rest of her life, nor love them too much.

“That, my dear," said her good Ma, "is just the point you should aim at.”

In a short time they got home. The maid, in whose care the birds were, gave good news of her charge; and Har-ri-et and Fred went to bed in peace, from a day spent with much joy, and in which they had come to know more than as yet they had known.

CHAP-TER XXIII.

THE next day the Red-breasts went to Mrs. Ben-son's, and found Rob still got on, but the cock had fears that he would not get quite well of his hurt at all; still he kept his fears in his own mind, and let the young ones tell the poor, lame bird all they had seen the last day in the grove. Fred and Har-ri-et were in such joy at the chirps and noise of the young ones, that they did not miss the old ones' song. When they had been there as long as she thought right, the hen told them to come, and all took leave of Rob, who had a great wish to go with them, but he could not. The cock told him he had great cause for thanks that he

P

was in such a good place, all things thought of; on which he got gay and gave a bright chirp, and took a hop to spread to take him.

Fred's hand which was

The rest then flew off and Har-ri-et and Fred went to their day's tasks.

The Red-breasts came down, as was their wont, to drink in the yard, and were on the point of flight back to their home, when Flaps said she had a wish to see some of the world, for, she said, it would make them mope if they were shut up in the field where they dwelt; and Dick said the same. Pecks said that though she too might have such a wish, yet she had known such joy in the nest, that she had a strong love for the spot and would be glad to pass her life there. The old birds gave her great praise for this, but the cock said as there was no wrong in the wish of Dick and

Flaps to see the world, so that it was kept in due bounds, he would let them do so; then he asks if they feel fresh, and at once took wing and led the way to a grove near at hand, where he put his young tribe on the branch of an old oak. Here their ears taste the charms of a fine gush of song. On one tree a black-bird and a thrush pour forth their strong notes, on the next some small birds chime in with their sweet

songs; high in the air, a lark pours forth his strains, while his mate in the wood, who sat on the cool fresh turf, made the grove sound with her nice voice; and to these the bird of night as they call him, though he sings by day, too, joins his sweet lay. In short, not a note but was there to make up the whole.

The young Red-breasts felt such a charm, that for a while they could not speak for joy; at length Dick said, "How I should like to

join this glad band and live for all time in this place."

"It is," said the hen, "a nice place to be sure, but could you feel how much more joy as a Red-breast you may have in your own home, you would not wish to change it; for my own part I find such joy in that calm place that not a thing but need shall drive me from it."

Pecks said that though she was glad to see such a scene, and the songs had a great charm for her, yet she felt now a strong wish to go home; but Flaps had a wish to see some more first.

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Well," said the cock, "Your wish shall be met; let us fly round this grove, for I wish you to see all that is worth your while to see in each place you go to, and not to fly in the world, as some birds do, while they get to know scarce a thing at the same time."