d carefully arrange his toilet, before going into the
presence of his wife. She must feel complimented by this delicate
attention, indicating so high a regard for her, and such anxiety to
preserve her esteem. I should not wonder if she was a little proud of
her handsome husband. However this may be, I am sure it is her
greatest happiness to deserve his respect and love, and honourably to
perform all the duties which devolve upon her in her married life.

Madam Robin was sitting one day in her vine-shaded home, looking out
through the slender branches of the honeysuckle, which were gently
swayed by a refreshing breeze, when she heard a slight tap. She
listened eagerly. Another tap--presently another. How her heart
fluttered! It proceeded from one of those highly-prized eggs, and she
knew it was the timid knock of a birdling, who was in that little
chamber, and was waiting to have the door opened. Of how small
consequence all her self-denial and her seclusion from general society
seemed, when that thrilling tap sounded on her ear! She continued to
listen, and within those four tiny chambers she heard the same rapping
repeated; and more than that, the sweet word, Mother, might seem
faintly to greet her ear. How she longed for her mate to return, that
he might enjoy, with her, this new happiness! When husband and wife
love each other, as they should, all pleasure must be shared, or it
will still be imperfect. She waited, almost impatiently for his
coming; and when he alighted on the honeysuckle, she looked so full of
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 t