robin, as charming a bird as any one could desire to
see. After such a vision, what cared he for Jenny Wren and her
impudence? Away he went, flying up and down the garden, quite sure
that no Miss Robin in her senses would say "no" to him.

He rested a while on the branch of an apple-tree, while he
meditated on the various Miss Robins, and considered to which he
should pay his addresses. He was startled by a slight movement of
some leaves just beneath him, and on looking down to find the
cause, he saw his too candid friend Jenny.

"So you are come out a-courting?" said she. "You are not a bit
thinner. Which of the Miss Robins do you think will have you--a
fat, over-fed house-bird?"

"You are quite mistaken, Miss Wren, if you think I am out for any
such purpose. I am only taking an airing this fine day. A-courting,
indeed! A bird like you would frighten any bachelor. I am sorry for
your husband, if you ever get one."

Away he flew, for he did not like Miss Wren's remarks. You see, he
had not mixed much with other birds, so he had not, as it were,
found his level. He was in danger of thinking too much or too
little of himself; and then, you perceive, he was thin-skinned.

Poor birdie! That pert young Jenny had put his spirits down to his
very toes. Had it not been for the glimpse he got in the bucket, he
would have returned to the house discouraged for that day. However,
like many other creatures, he did not know what the near future
had in store for him.

The time of day was noon, and he bethought him the kitchen dinner
would be ready; so he prepared to fly towards the house, as he was
very hungry. Just at this moment he caught sight of the gardener
turning over some stuff for a hot-bed, and he also saw some fine,
fat worms thrown to the surface by the fork. He concluded to dine
there that day, and proceeded to make a very satisfactory meal. He
had with some difficulty swallowed a very large worm, when he heard
the gardener say, "Hush! gently; now we shall see some fun."
Robinette looked up. He saw, and he loved. The daintiest Miss Robin
in all the garden was hopping towards him. Alas! beside her was a
fine cock robin, and they seemed on the pleasantest terms with each
other, and hopped along, quite unaware of Robinette's presence. To
be ignored was what he could not stand. So he came near to them,
made a deep bow to the lady, and ruffled his feathers and scowled
at his rival. A fierce rage and jealousy took poss