The next morning Jolly told his wife that she would have to do all the work of the children's breakfast. "You know, my love," he explained, "I have important business to attend to to-day." And before she had time to object he left her.
 
Over near the garden fence he met three plump who had flown across the meadow to help him fight Reddy Woodpecker. And soon the four had dropped down into the raspberry patch.
 
Reddy Woodpecker had not arrived. So, while they were waiting Jolly Robin's friends helped themselves to berries. Under the hot sun the fruit had fast. Finding it both sweet and juicy they ate of it freely. And Jolly Robin could think of no reason why he should not do likewise.
 
By the time Reddy Woodpecker came, all the Robins from over the meadow were feeling so well fed and good-natured that they were in anything but a fighting mood.
 
"Let that Woodpecker enjoy this fruit if he likes it," they said to Jolly in an undertone. "There's more than enough for everybody. And now," they told him, "we must go home, because we have to help our wives feed our children."
 
Off they flew. And Jolly Robin found himself alone with Reddy Woodpecker.
 
"Ahem!" exclaimed Jolly Robin. "It's a fine morning, isn't it?"
 
"!" said Reddy Woodpecker.
 
"It looks as if you and I were going to have this raspberry patch all to ourselves, doesn't it?" Jolly continued.
 
Reddy Woodpecker agreed with him.
 
"We ought to keep others out of it," said Jolly.
 
Again Reddy Woodpecker was of the same mind as he.
 
"Then this is a bargain!" cried Jolly Robin. "I'll ask you to guard the place alone for a few minutes while I go home and speak to my wife."
 
Reddy Woodpecker grinned as he watched Jolly Robin winging his way homeward.
 
"Humph!" he . "I may as well let that Robin have a taste of............