Part 1 (2/2)

”That will not be long,” said Mother.

”Oh, yes, it will,” said Bobby. ”Just see all the snow and ice.”

If Bobby had only noticed, he would have known that even then the wind had changed to the south and it was becoming warmer. Soon the snow and ice began to melt. All night they kept melting.

The next day, Bobby was wakened again by Robin Redbreast. He looked out and saw the sun s.h.i.+ning brightly. All that morning the snow melted so fast that by noon there were little rivers and pools of water everywhere.

Bobby tried to slide down the little hill; but there was a bare spot half way down, so his sled stuck on the ground and would not go any farther.

”This isn't any fun,” thought Bobby. ”I'll go over and slide down the s...o...b..nks.” He and Rover started across the field; but at every step they went down through the soft snow into the water beneath.

”This isn't any fun either. Is it?” said he to Rover.

Rover looked up into Bobby's face and seemed to say, ”I don't care for it much myself.” So they went back to the house.

Rover lay down by the fire to dry off; but Bobby took his skates and went to the Duck Pond. When he got there, he found the ice on the Duck Pond covered with pools of water.

”I'll wait till another day to skate,” he thought.

He was just starting back to the house, when there came to his ears the same sound he had heard the last two mornings, ”Chirp, chirp, chirp.”

Bobby looked across the pond. There, on the ground under the willow tree, was a robin.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”h.e.l.lo, Robin Redbreast,” called Bobby. ”I'm glad you are back again”]

”h.e.l.lo, Robin Redbreast,” called Bobby. ”I'm glad you are back again.

But you'll be very cold up here. It isn't Spring yet.”

”Chirp, chirp,” said Robin. ”Cheer-up, cheer-y.” And he flew up to a branch of the willow tree.

Bobby's eyes followed Robin into the willow tree. What were all those little gray things on the twigs around Robin?

Bobby looked more closely. ”Why I do believe--I do believe--can it be those are p.u.s.s.y willows?” he exclaimed.

Around the pond to the tree he ran. Sure enough! p.u.s.s.y willows they were.

Bobby reached up and picked some of the twigs. Then he ran to the house as fast as he could run.

”Oh, Mother,” he exclaimed, ”see the p.u.s.s.y willows! I believe Spring _is_ almost here.”

”Robin knew,” said Mother.

”Good!” said Bobby. Then he added, ”But there won't be any more sleigh-rides, or sliding down hill, or skating.”

”Just wait and see what fun Summer will bring,” Mother replied.

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