Good Cheer!" Every day they came to watch and listen. They
scattered crumbs; and the Cardinal grew so friendly that he
greeted their coming with a quick "Chip! Chip!" while the
delighted child tried to repeat it after him. Soon they became
such friends that when he saw them approaching he would call
softly "Chip! Chip!" and then with beady eyes and tilted head
await her reply.

Sometimes a member of his family from the Everglades found his
way into the orchard, and the Cardinal, having grown to feel a
sense of proprietorship, resented the intrusion and pursued him
like a streak of flame. Whenever any straggler had this
experience, he returned to the swamp realizing that the Cardinal
of the orange orchard was almost twice his size and strength, and
so startlingly red as to be a wonder.

One day a gentle breeze from the north sprang up and stirred the
orange branches, wafting the heavy perfume across the land and
out to sea, and spread in its stead a cool, delicate, pungent
odour. The Cardinal lifted his head and whistled an inquiring
note. He was not certain, and went on searching for slugs, and
predicting happiness in full round notes: "Good Cheer! Good
Cheer!" Again the odour swept the orchard, so strong that this
time there was no mistaking it. The Cardinal darted to the
topmost branch, his crest flaring, his tail twitching nervously.
"Chip! Chip!" he cried with excited insistence, "Chip! Chip!"

The breeze was coming stiffly and steadily now, unlike anything
the Cardinal ever had known, for its cool breath told of
ice-bound fields breaking up under the sun. Its damp touch was