28 THE HISTORY OF TIP-TOP. 



out of our stockings." Nay, so far did this generosity pro- 

 ceed, that Charlie cut a flossy, golden curl from Toddlie's 

 head and threw it out ; and when the birds caught it up 

 the whole flock laughed to see Toddlie's golden hair figur- 

 ing in a bird's-nest. 



When the little thing was finished, it was so neat, and 

 trim, and workman-like, that the children all exulted over 

 it, and called it " our nest," and the two robins they called 

 "our birds." But wonderful was the joy when the little 

 eyes, opening one morning, saw in the nest a beautiful pale- 

 green egg ; and the joy grew from day to day, for every 

 day there came another egg, and so on till there were five 

 little eggs ; and then the oldest girl, Alice, said, " There 

 are five eggs ; that makes one for each of us, and each of 

 us will have a little bird by and by " ; at which all the 

 children laughed and jumped for glee. 



When the five little eggs were all laid, the mother-bird 

 began to sit on them ; and at any time of day or night, 

 when a little head peeped out of the nursery window, might 

 be seen a round, bright, patient pair of bird's eyes content- 

 edly waiting for the young birds to come. It seemed a long 

 time for the children to wait ; but every day they put some 

 bread and cake from their luncheon on the window-sill, so 

 that the birds might have something to eat ; but still there 

 she was, patiently watching ! 



"How long, long, long she waits ! " said Jamie, impatiently. 

 " I don't believe she 's ever going to hatch." 



