"Here I am. Will you climb up?" said the voice of Bridget Murphy.

"Give me a hand, and I'll be up with you in a moment," said Nora.
She tossed her basket on the ground; a very firm, little brown hand
was extended; and the next moment the girls were seated side by side
on a stout branch of the tree.

"Well, and what has brought you along here?" said Bridget.

"I came with father and mother in the dog-cart," replied Nora.
"Father let me drive Black Bess. I had a jolly time; but she did
pull a bit--my wrists are quite stiff."

"I am glad you have come," said the other girl. "I was having a
concert all by myself. I can imitate the thrush, the blackbird, and
most of the birds round here. Shall I do the thrush for you?"

Before Nora could speak she began imitating the full liquid notes of
the bird to perfection.

"I declare you have a genius for it," said Nora. "But how are you
yourself, Biddy?"

"What should ail me?" replied Biddy. "I never had a care nor a worry
nor a trouble yet; the day is long, and my heart is light. I am at
peace, and I never had an ache in my body yet. But what is up with
you, Nora alannah?"

"It's that mortgage, you know," said Nora, dropping her voice. "What