When the Thrush had finished his song about the vest, he looked at his cousin Jolly out of the corner of his eye.  
“How do you like that one?” he inquired. He noticed that Jolly was not laughing.
 
“That seems to me to be a very silly song,” Jolly Robin said. “But I’m glad you sang it, because it has reminded me that I was going to speak to you about that spotted waistcoat you’re so fond of wearing.”
 
“What’s the matter with my 74waistcoat?” the Hermit asked quickly. “I’m sure it’s a very handsome one.”
 
“I don’t like it!” Jolly told him. “I wouldn’t be caught with it on me for anything. Everybody says that you’re a great dandy because you wear it. And since you’re my cousin, I think I ought to tell you what people are saying about you.”
 
“I don’t care what people say!” the Hermit exclaimed. “Those that don’t like my beautiful waistcoat can look the other way when I’m around. And if my style of dress doesn’t please you, I’d suggest that you keep out of this swamp.”
 
“Now, don’t get angry!” Jolly Robin begged. He gave his cousin a smile, hoping that it might make him feel pleasanter. “I was only trying to help you. I was only going to advise you to wear a red waistcoat, like mine.”
 
Now, the thought of wearing a red 75waistcoat made the Hermit feel faint. Some people say that all great singers are like that. If they don’t like a thing, they can’t bear even to think about it. And it was a fact that the words “red waistcoat” had always made Jolly Robin’s cousin .
 
Maybe one reason why he never went to visit Jolly was because he couldn’t endure the sight of his bright red vest.
 
Of course, Jolly Robin knew nothing about all this.
 
“Red would be very becoming to you,” he continued. “And it’s certainly a cheerful color, too. You need brightening up. I don’t believe it’s good for you, living in this damp swamp and singing sad songs. What you ought to do is to get some clothes like mine and bring your wife over to Farmer Green’s and build a nest in an apple tree.... We could have some gay times together,” he said smilingly.
 
Like many other people Jolly Robin thought his own ways were the best. And since the Hermit ............