"No, I'm not going to sell it nor give it away," said Ephraim, whose
quiet bearing contrasted strongly with his sister's excitement. "Is it
likely that I should do anything that would give you pain? And yet, I
have but to say one word ... and I'll wager that you will be the first
to open the cage and say to the bird, 'Fly, fly away, birdie, fly away
home!'"

"Never, never!" cried the girl.

"Viola," said Ephraim beseechingly, "I have taken a vow. Surely you
would not have me break it?"

"A vow?" asked his sister.

"Viola," Ephraim continued, as he bent his head down to the girl's face,
"I have vowed to myself that whenever he ... our father ... should
return, I would give our little bird its freedom. It shall be free, free
as he will be."

"Ephraim!"

"He is coming--he is already on his way home."

Viola flung her arms round her brother's neck. For a long time brother
and sister remained locked in a close embrace.

Meanwhile the bird resumed its jubilant song.

"Do you hear how it sings again?" said Ephraim; and he gently stroked