“Oh, dear!’ he called.  ‘He’s out.’

“‘Mercy on us!  Oh, dear!’ screamed the girls as I made a dash through the opening, and flew to the top of a picture frame.  ’Johnny, Johnny, your redbird’s out,’ they called.

“All was confusion in an instant.  Boys and girls ran hither and thither, tumbling over each other, and over the chairs and stools, and all talking and screaming at once.

“‘Bring a broom or a flagpole, Johnny,’ called Philip.  ’I’ll shoo him down for you while you stand underneath and catch him.’

“‘Shoo, shoo!’ said Jeannette, catching her dress skirt with both hands and waving it back and forth rapidly.  In a minute all the girls were waving their dress skirts at me and saying ‘shoo.’

“‘Oh, my pretty Admiral Dewey, my dear old admiral,’ wailed Johnny, almost in tears.

“I didn’t wait for the broom or the flagpole to help me from the picture frame.  I balanced myself steadily and then I flew out of the open window and away into the world, without saying good-bye to anybody.  I suppose they all crowded to the window to look after me as I disappeared, for the last thing I heard was Mrs. Morris’ voice saying, ’Don’t, Johnny; you’ll fall out if you lean over so far.  Papa will get you another bird.  Don’t grieve so hard.  Don’t, Johnny.’”

“Did you ever see Johnny afterward?” we asked the redbird.

“Yes, once I saw him cantering along slowly on Jock.  He could not go very fast because he was holding a great bunch of red and pink roses in one hand.  His cheeks were as pink as the flowers and his yellow hair curled up under the edge of his cap the same as it used to.  I knew him in a minute.  A great many carriages were on the street trimmed in flags and flowers.  Little flags were fastened to the horses’ harness.  Jock had one on each side of his head, which made him look very pretty.  Children were running about carrying wreaths.  On a corner of the street where a band was playing some men were holding banners.  I heard some one say it was Decoration Day, and that everybody strewed flowers on the graves in the big cemetery that day.  I thought it was a very beautiful custom.  Through all the buzz and confusion I kept an eye on Johnny.  He didn’t seem to be riding anywhere in particular, but was just looking around for the fun of the thing.  Presently he drew up to the sidewalk where a little ragged boy was leaning up against a tree.  He had a wistful look, as if he would like to be taking part.

“‘Hello!’ said Johnny, as he reined Jock in.  ’Aren’t you going to help to decorate?’

“‘Naw—­ain’t got any posies, I tell you.’  The boy said this in a sullen tone.

“’Here, take these.  I brought you a big bunch so you could divide ’em with some of your friends.  There’s enough for all of you boys to have a few flowers to take to the cemetery.’  Johnny extended the roses with a smile as he spoke.