|WHEN Bob White brought Mrs. Bob down to the Green Meadows from the
Old Pasture in the beautiful springtime, she was as delighted as he had
hoped she would be. Very wisely he had not even hinted that he thought
there was the place of all places for them to build their home. He knew
that she would never be satisfied unless she felt that she was the one
who had chosen the place for their home. So Bob didn't so much as hint
that he had a home in mind. He didn't even tell her how beautiful it was
over on the Green Meadows near the dear Old Briar-patch. He let her find
it out for herself.
Now little Mrs. Bob was very anxious to get to housekeeping, and no
sooner did she reach the Green Meadows than she made up her mind that
here was the place of all places for a home. In the first place it was
very beautiful, and Mrs. Bob has an eye for beauty. In the second place
there was plenty to eat, one of the most important things to consider
when you are likely to have a great many little mouths to feed. In the
third place there were plenty of good hiding places, and lastly, Mrs.
Bob liked the neighbors.
Bob White took care not to let her see that he was tickled. He gravely
pointed out to her the fact that Granny and Reddy Fox, Old Man Coyote
and Red-tail the Hawk would soon discover that they were living there,
and then there would be danger all the time and they would never know
what it was to be free from worry.
“Not a bit more than in the Old Pasture where we built last year,”
snapped Mrs. Bob. “You know as well as I do that wherever we build we
will be in danger. It always has been so, and I guess it always will be
so. We've been smart enough to fool our enemies before, and I guess we
can do it again. I'm not afraid if you are.”
Bob hastened to say that he wasn't afraid. He wouldn't have her think
that for the world. Oh, my, no! He was just pointing out the dangers so
that they might make no mistake.
Mrs. Bob didn't half hear what he was saying. She was too busy poking
about, running here, running there, and all the time using her sharp
little eyes for all they were worth. Bob waited patiently, a twinkle in
his own eyes. He knew that when Mrs. Bob made up her mind that was all
there was to it. Presently she called to him in a low voice, and he flew
over to join her.
“Here,” she announced, “is where we will build.”
Bob looked the ground over with a critical eye. “Don't you think, my
dear, that this is rather close to the Crooked Little Path?” he asked.
“I have noticed that Reddy Fox and Timmy Skunk use this path a great
deal, not to mention Farmer Brown's boy.”
“That's what makes it the safest place on the Green Meadows, stupid,”
declared little Mrs. Bob. “They will never think to look for our home so
close to where they pass. These weeds are very thick and will hide
our nest completely. This old fallen fence-post will give splendid
protection on one side. The Old Briar-patch is so near that in case of
need we can get to it in a hurry and there be perfectly safe. You mark
my words, Bob White, no one will think of looking here for our nest if
you use your common sense and do all your whistling far enough away.
Reddy and the others are going to do all their hunting around the place
you do your whistling, so it is for you to make this the very safest
place in the world. Do you see?”
“Yes, my dear,” replied Bob meekly. “You are very clever and cunning. I
never should have thought of choosing such a place, but I guess you are
quite right.”
“I know I am,” retorted Mrs. Bob. “Now you fly over to the other side of
the Old Briar-patch and whistle while I get busy here. I am anxious to
get to work at once.”
Bob looked at his little brown wife with admiration. Then he discreetly
ran under cover of the weeds and grass until he thought it was safe
to take wing, after which he flew to the other side of the dear Old
Briar-patch and there began to whistle as only he can.