"I wonder," said Frederick, who had dried up his tears, "that the robins are not come."
"Consider," said his sister, "that they have a great deal of business to do now that their young ones begin to leave their nest; they will be here by and by, I make no doubt." An instant after, they entered the room. The sight of them perfectly restored Frederick's cheerfulness; and after they were departed, he requested of his mamma that he and Harriet might go again into the orchard, in hopes of seeing the young robins.
"That you shall do, Frederick," said she, "upon condition that you continue a very good boy; but as yesterday was rather an idle day with you, you must apply a little closer to-day; and Harriet has a great deal of business to do, therefore you must wait till evening, and then perhaps I may go with you."
Frederick was satisfied with this promise, and took great pains to read and spell. He repeated by heart one of Mrs. Barbauld's hymns, and some other little things which he had been taught; and Harriet applied herself to a variety of different lessons with great diligence, and performed her task of work entirely to her mamma's satisfaction.
As soon as the old redbreasts left their little family in order to go to Mrs. Benson's, Pecksy, with
