Polly was to come back from her grandmother’s the next week and, though I looked forward with pleasure to being with her again, I felt sorry to leave this peaceful home.  The worthy lives and beautiful aims of these obscure girls of whom the world knew nothing was a sweet remembrance to carry with me.

“Thank Polly for me for Dickey Downy’s visit and tell her whenever she wants to go away anywhere I’ll be glad to take care of him for her,” Eliza said when the time came for me to go.

She gave the cage into Miss Kathy’s hand.  I chirped a farewell to her and she whistled back to me and we parted to see each other no more.

CHAPTER XIV

THE COUNTRY SCHOOL

  Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
          —­Bible.

Polly’s welcome to me was most cordial.  She was bright as a cricket and full of chat about her visit.  With her usual care she examined my cage closely to see that everything was in order and petted and praised me for a little while to my full content, then ran to Miss Kathy to tell her of the new story book which had been presented to her while away.

“And I am going to read you the stories some day,” she added.

Her young playmates flocked in to see her and as I listened to their glad voices my heart yearned more than ever for my comrades of the woods, for a thought of spring was in the air.

As the days went by there were indeed signs all around that spring was on the way.  The wind no longer bellowed hoarsely in the treetops, but had a mellow, musical sound and the raindrops that struck the window pane trickled softly as if glad to come out of the clouds.

Just after school one bright afternoon Polly came to the door on the side porch and called in to Miss Katharine: 

“I’ll be playing out in the yard awhile.  Louise and Nancy have come to stay till half-past five o’clock, so if mother needs me you’ll know where to find me.”

“All right” said Miss Kathy.  “Go on and have a jolly time.”

And a jolly time they had, judging from the merry shouts that came in through the open door.

“I’ve got your tag!  I’ve got your tag!” I could hear Polly say, and then there was a great scampering of feet and roars of laughter as they chased each other up and down the walks.  This was kept up for some minutes, then a voice began: 

  “Intery-mintery, cutery-corn,
  Apple-seed and briar-thorn,
  Wire, briar, limber-lock,
  Three geese in one flock;
  One flew east and one flew west
  And one flew over the cuckoo’s nest.”

“Oh, Louise, you’re out!  It’s your turn first.”

“I wonder if we are the geese?” said Nancy.  Then they all giggled as if what she had said was very funny.

“Louise, Louise, look, look!  You’re going to have good luck,” presently shouted two voices.  “A ladybird has lighted on your shoulder.”