PUSS OVERHEARS A PROPOSAL AND IS INVITED TO A WEDDING
Reading edition
It was a merry time, When Jenny Wren was young, So neatly as she danced, And so sweetly as she sung— Robin Redbreast lost his heart; He was a gallant bird; He doffed his hat to Jenny, And thus to her he said: "My dearest Jenny Wren, If you will but be mine, You shall dine on cherry pie, And drink nice currant wine." "I'll dress you like a goldfinch, Or like a peacock gay; So if you'll have me, Jenny, Let us appoint the day."
While on his journey Puss, Jr., paused to listen to this sweet song. On a branch above him sat Robin Redbreast. With his hat held in one claw he bowed most beautifully to a little wren that sat on a limb just below him. "I'll dress you like a goldfinch," repeated Robin, swinging his beautiful green hat with its long black feather up and down in the breeze.
Jenny blushed behind her fan, And thus declared her mind: "Then let it be to-morrow, Bob; I'll take your offer kind. "Cherry pie is very good, So is currant wine; But I'll wear my russet gown, And never dress too fine."
"I'd like to buy her a beautiful gold dress," said Robin Redbreast, turning to look at Puss, Jr., who stood very quietly at the foot of the tree.
"I think her little russet gown is much nicer," replied Puss. "To tell you the truth, she wouldn't look very much like a wren if you dressed her like a goldfinch."
"Of course I wouldn't," chirruped little Jenny Wren; "and, besides, I wouldn't feel at all like myself. I might think Robin had married a goldfinch instead of me; and I don't want to think that."
"Of course you don't," said Puss, kindly.
"You are both right," said Robin Redbreast. "I only thought for the moment that she would like a different gown, but she shall have her way. There is only one little bird in the world for me, and that is Jenny Wren."
Jenny hid her face behind her fan, for she was I blushing very hard. Indeed, her cheeks were I almost as red as Robin's breast.
"To-morrow, then, shall be our wedding-day," said Robin, "and you are invited, my dear Puss, Junior."