Ephraim turned towards her; he looked at her solemnly, and said quietly:

"Pick up your prayer-book first, and then I'll answer. A holy book
should not be on the ground like that. Had our mother dropped her
prayer-book, she would have kissed it ... Kiss it, Viola, my child!"

Viola did so.

"And now I'll tell you, dear Viola, what I think is the reason why the
bird sings so blithely to-day ... Of course, I don't say I'm right."

Viola's brown eyes were fixed inquiringly upon her brother's face.

"How seriously you talk to-day," she said, making a feeble attempt at a smile.
"I was only joking. Mustn't I ask if the bird knows anything about the Sabbath?"

"There are subjects it is sinful to joke about, and this may be one of
them, Viola."

"You really quite frighten me, Ephraim."

"You little goose, I don't want to frighten you," said Ephraim, while
a faint flush suffused his features. "I'll tell you my opinion about the
singing of the bird. I think, dear Viola, that our little canary knows
... that before long it will change its quarters."

"You're surely not going to sell it or give it away?" cried the girl,
in great alarm; and springing to her feet, she quickly drew her brother
away from the cage.