LeaningtowardAbram，theCardinalturnedhisheadfromsidetoside，andpeered，"chipped，"andwaitedforananswering"Chip"
　　fromalittlegolden—hairedchild，buttherewasnowayforthemantoknowthat。
　　"It’sjestassureasfate，"hesaid。"Youthinkyouknowme，an’youaretryin’totellmesomethin’。WishtolandIknowedwhatyouwant!Areyoutryin’totellme`Howdy’？Well，Idon’t’lownobodytobepoliter’anIam，sofarasIknow。"
　　Abramliftedhisoldhat，andtheraindropsglistenedonhiswhitehair。Hesquaredhisshouldersandstoodveryerect。
　　"Howdy，Mr。Redbird!Howd’yefindyerselfthisevenin’？I
　　don’tjestriccolicteverseein’youbefore，butI’llnevermeetyouagin’thoutknowin’you。Whend’youarrive？Comethroughbythespecialmidnightflyer，didyou？Well，youneverwasmorewelcomeanyplaceinyourlife。I’dgivearightsmartsumthisminnitifyou’dsayyoucametosettleonthisriverbank。Howdoyoulikeit？Tomymindit’sjestasnearParadiseasyou’llstrikeonearth。
　　"OldWabashisatwisterforcurvin’andwindin’round，an’it’slimestonebedhalftheway，an’thewater’sasprettyan’clearasinMaria’sspringhouse。An’asfortrimmin’，whysay，Mr。
　　Redbird，I’lljestleaveittoyouifsheain’talltrimmeduplikeawoman’sspringbunnit。Lookatthegrassa—creepin’rightdowntillit’satrailin’inthewater!Didyoueverseejestquitesuchfinefringywillers？An’youwaitalittle，an’theflowerin’mallows’atgrowslongtheshinin’oldriverarefineasgardenhollyhocks。Mariasays’atthy’dbepurtier’anhersiftheywereonlydouble；but，Lord，Mr。Redbird，theyare!See’emonceonthebank，an’agininthewater!An’backalittlean’there’sjestthicketsofpapaw，an’thorns，an’wildgrape—vines，an’crab，an’redan’blackhaw，an’dogwood，an’
　　sumac，an’spicebush，an’trees!Lord!Mr。Redbird，thesycamores，an’maples，an’tulip，an’ash，an’elmtreesaresobustin’fine’longtheoldWabashtheyput’emintopoetrybooksan’singsongsabout’em。Whatdoyouthinko’that？Jestbacko’youalittlethere’sasycamoresplitintofivetrunks，anyoneo’themafamousbigtree，topsup’mongtheclouds，an’
　　rootsdiggin’undertheoldriver；an’overalittlefarther’samaple’at’seightbigtreesinone。Mostanythingyoucanname，youcanfindit’longthisoleWabash，ifyouonlyknowwheretohuntforit。
　　"They’smightyfewwhitementakesthetroubletolook，buttheIndiansusedtoknow。They’dcomecanoein’an’fishin’downtheriveran’campundertheseverytrees，an’Ma’udgitsomadattheoldsquaws。Settlerswasn’tsothickthen，an’youhadtobemightycarefulnottorile’em，an’they’dcomea—trapesin’withtheirwildberries。Woodsfullo’berries!Anybodycouldget’embythebushelforthepickin’，an’wehadn’tgotontoraisin’muchwheat，an’hadtocarryitonhorsesoverintoOhiotogetitmilled。TookPafivedaystomakethetrip；an’thentheblameoldsquaws’udcome，an’Ma’udbecompelledtohandoverto’emherbigwhiteloaves。Jestaboutsetherplumbcrazy。Usedtogetupinthenight，an’fixheryeast，an’bake，an’lettheovencool，an’hidethebreadoutinthewheatbin，an’getthesmellofitallouto’thehousebygooddaylight，so’s’atshecouldsaytherewasn’taloafinthecabin。Oh!ifit’sgoodpickin’you’reafter，they’sberriesforallcreation’longtheriveryet；an’jestwaitafewdaystilloldAprilgetsdoneshowerin’an’Iplowthiscornfield!"
　　Abramsetafootonthethirdrailandleanedhiselbowsonthetop。TheCardinalchippeddelightedlyandhoppedandtiltedcloser。
　　"Ihadn’tjest’lowedallwinterI’dtacklethisfieldagain。
　　I’veturnediteveryspringforfortyyear。BoughtitwhenIwasayoungfellow，jestmarriedtoMaria。Shoulderedabigdebtonit；butIalwayslovedtheseslopin’fields，an’myshareofthisoldWabashhasn’tbeenforsalenortradin’anytimethispastfortyyear。I’vehungontoitlikegrimdeath，forit’sjestthatmucho’ParadiseI’mplumbsureof。FirsttimeIplowedthisfield，Mr。Redbird，Ionlyhitthehighplaces。JestmarriedMaria，an’Ididn’ttouchearthanytoofrequentallthatsummer。I’veplowediteveryyearsince，an’I’vebeen’lowin’
　　allthiswinter，whentherheumatizwasgettin’initswork，’atI’dgiveitupthisspringan’turnittomedder；butIdon’tknow。OnceIgotstarted，b’lieveIcouldgoitallrightan’
　　notfeelitsomuch，ifyou’dstaytocheermeupalittlean’
　　postmeontheweather。HatethedoggondesttoownI’mworsted，an’ifyousayit’sstay，b’lieveI’lltryit。Verysighto’youkinderwarmsthecockleso’myheartallup，an’everyskipyoutakesetsmea—wantin’tobejumpin’，too。
　　"Whatonearthareyoulookin’for？Man!Ib’lieveit’sgrub!
　　Somebody’sbeenfeedin’you!An’youwantmetokeepitup？
　　Well，youstruckitallright，Mr。Redbird。Feedyou？YoubetI
　　will!Youneedn’teven’rastleforgrubsifyoudon’twantto。
　　Likeasnotyou’refeelin’hungryrightnow，pickin’bein’soslimtheseairlydays。Land’ssake!Ihopeyoudon’tfeelyou’vecometoosoon。I’llfetchyoueverythingontheplaceit’slikelyaredbirdeverteched，airlyinthemornin’ifyou’llsayyou’llstayan’waveyourtorch’longmyriverbankthissummer。Ihaven’tascrapaboutmenow。Yes，Ihave，too!
　　Here’sahandfulo’cornIwastakin’tothebantyrooster；butshucks!he’sfatasayoungshoatnow。Corn’saleetlebigan’
　　hardforyou。MebbyIcansplititupamite。"
　　Abramtookouthisjack—knife，anddottingarowofgrainsalongthetoprail，hesplitandshavedthemdownasfineaspossible；
　　andashereachedoneendoftherail，theCardinal，withaspasmodic"Chip!"dasheddownandsnatchedaparticlefromtheother，andflashedbacktothebush，tested，approved，andchippedhisthanks。
　　"Pshawnow!"saidAbram，staringwide—eyed。"Doesn’tthatbeatyou？Soyoureallyareapet？Bestkindofapetinthewholeworld，too!Makin’everybody，atseesyouhappy，an’havin’somechancetobehappyyourself。An’Ilooklikeyourfriend？Well!
　　Well!I’mmonstrouswillin’toadoptyouifyou’lltakeme；an’，asforfeedin’，fromto—morrowonI’llfindtimetosetyourlittletable’longthissameraileveryday。Is’poseMaria’ullsay’atI’mgoneplumbcrazy；but，forthatmatter，ifIevergetherdowntoseeyoujestonce，thetrick’sdonewithher，too，foryou’retheprettiestthingGodevermadeintheshapeofabird，’atIeversaw。Lookatthattopknotawavin’inthewind!
　　Maybepraisetothefaceisopendisgrace；butI’lltakeyoursharean’mine，too，an’tellyourightherean’now’atyou’retheblamedestprettiestthing’atIeversaw。
　　"ButLord!Youortn’tbesocareless!Don’tyouknowyouain’tnothin’butjestatarget？Whydon’tyoukeepouto’sightalittle？Youcomea—shinneyin’uptonineouto’tenmen’longtheriverlikethis，an’yourpurty，coaxin’，palaverin’waywon’tsaveafeatheronyou。You’llgetthelittleredheartshotplumboutenyourlittleredbody，an’that’swhatyou’llget。It’sadrattedshame!An’there’slawtoprotectyou，too。
　　They’sagoodbigfineforkillin’suchasyou，butnobodyseemstopushit。Everyfoolwantstotesthisaim，an’you’rethebrightestthingontheriverbankforamark。
　　"Well，ifyou’llstayrightwhereyouare，it’ullbeasorrydayforanycuss’attechesyou；’atI’llpromiseyou，Mr。Redbird。
　　Thisland’smine，an’ifyoulocateonit，you’reminetilltimetogobacktothatotheroldfellow’atlookslikeme。Wonderifhe’sanywillingertofeedyouan’standupforyou’anIam？"
　　"Here!Here!Here!"whistledtheCardinal。
　　"Well，I’mmightygladifyou’resayin’you’llstay!Guessitwillbeallrightifyoudon’tmeetsomeo’themLimberlosthensan’toleofftotheswamp。Lord!theLimberlostain’ttobecomparedwiththeriver，Mr。Redbird。You’refoolishifyougo!
　　Talkin’’boutgoin’，Imustbegoin’myself，orMariawillbecomin’downthelinefencewiththelantern；an’，cometothinkofit，I’malittlemoist，nottosaydownrightdamp。ButthenyouWARNEDme，didn’tyou，oldfellow？Well，ItoldMariaseein’
　　you’udbelikemeetin’folks，an’ithasbeen。Gooddealmore’nIcountedon，an’I’vetalkedmore’nIhaveinawholeyear。
　　Hardlythinknow’atI’vethereputationo’beingamightyquietfellow，wouldyou？"
　　Abramstraightenedandtouchedhishatbriminatrimhalfmilitarysalute。"Well，good—bye，Mr。Redbird。Neverhadmorepleasuremeetin’anybodyinmylife’ceptfirsttimeImetMaria。
　　Youthinkabouttheplowin’，an’，ifyousay`stay，’it’sago!
　　Good—bye；an’dobealittlemorecarefulo’yourself。Seeyouinthemornin’，rightafterbreakfast，nocounttakeno’theweather。"
　　"Wetyear!Wetyear!"calledtheCardinalafterhisretreatingfigure。
　　Abramturnedandgravelysalutedthesecondtime。TheCardinalwenttothetoprailandfeastedonthesweetgrainsofcornuntilhiscrawwasfull，andthennestledinthesumacandwenttosleep。Earlynextmorninghewasabroadandinfinetoilet，andwithafullvoicefromthetopofthesumacgreetedtheday——"Wetyear!Wetyear!"
　　Fardowntheriverechoedhisvoiceuntilitsocloselyresembledsomememberofhisfamilyreplyingthathefollowed，searchingthebanksmileaftermileoneitherside，untilfinallyheheardvoicesofhiskind。Helocatedthem，butitwasonlyseveralstaidoldcouples，alongtimemated，andbusywiththeirnest—building。TheCardinalreturnedtothesumac，feelingadegreelonelierthanever。
　　Hedecidedtoprospectintheoppositedirection，andtakingwing，hestarteduptheriver。Followingthechannel，hewingedhisflightformilesoverthecoolsparklingwater，betweenthetangleoffoliageborderingthebanks。Whenhecametothelongcumbrousstructuresofwoodwithwhichmenhadbridgedtheriver，wheretheshufflingfeetoftiredfarmhorsesraisedcloudsofdustandsettheechoesrollingwiththeirthunderoushoofbeats，hewasafraid；andrisinghigh，hesailedovertheminshortbrokencurvesofflight。Butwheregiantmapleandash，leaning，lockedbranchesacrossthechannelinoneofoldMotherNature’sbridgesforthesquirrels，heknewnofear，anddippedsolowbeneaththemthathisimagetrailedawaveringshadowonthesilverpathhefollowed。
　　Heroundedcurveaftercurve，andfrequentlystoppingonaconspicuousperch，flungaringingchallengeinthefaceofthemorning。Witheverymilethewayhefollowedgrewmorebeautiful。Theriverbedwaslimestone，andtheswiftlyflowingwater，clearandlimpid。Thebankswereprecipitateinsomeplaces，gentlyslopinginothers，andalwayscrowdedwithatangleoffoliage。
　　Atanabruptcurveintheriverhemountedtothesummitofabigashandmadeboastfulprophecy，"Wetyear!Wetyear!"andonallsidestheresprangupthevoicesofhiskind。Startled，theCardinaltookwing。Hefollowedtheriverinacirclingflightuntilherememberedthatheremightbetheopportunitytowinthecovetedrivermate，andgoingslowertoselectthehighestbranchonwhichtodisplayhischarms，hediscoveredthathewasonlyafewyardsfromtheashfromwhichhehadmadehisprediction。
　　TheCardinalflewoverthenarrowneckandsentanothercall，thenwithoutawaitingareply，againheflasheduptheriverandcircledHorseshoeBend。Whenhecametothesameashforthethirdtime，heunderstood。
　　Therivercircledinonegreatcurve。TheCardinalmountedtothetip—toplimboftheashandlookedaroundhim。Therewasneverafairersightfortheeyeofmanorbird。Themistandshimmerofearlyspringwereintheair。TheWabashroundedHorseshoeBendinasilvercircle，rimmedbyatangleoffoliageborderingbothitsbanks；andinsidelayalowopenspacecoveredwithwavingmarshgrassandthebluebloomofsweetcalamus。
　　Scatteredaroundweremightytrees，butconspicuousaboveany，intheverycenter，wasagiantsycamore，splitatitsbaseintothreelargetrees，whosewavingbranchesseemedtosweepthefaceofheaven，andwhoseroots，likemiserlyfingers，clutcheddeepintotheblackmuckofRainbowBottom。
　　Itwasinthislovelyspotthattherainbowatlastmaterialized，andatitsbase，freetoallhumanitywhocaredtoseek，theGreatAlchemisthadleftHisraresttreasures——thegoldofsunshine，diamondwater—drops，emeraldfoliage，andsapphiresky。
　　Forgoodmeasure，therewereaddedseeds，berries，andinsectsforthebirds；andwildflowers，fruit，andnutsforthechildren。Aboveall，thesycamorewaveditsmajestichead。
　　Itmadeathronethatseemedsuitableforthesonoftheking；
　　andmountingtoitstopmostbranch，formilestherivercarriedhischallenge："Ho，cardinals!Lookthisway!Beholdme!Haveyouseenanyotherofsogreatsize？Haveyouanytoequalmygrace？
　　Whocanwhistlesoloud，soclear，socompellinganote？Whowillflytomeforprotection？Whowillcomeandbemymate？"
　　Heflaredhiscresthigh，swelledhisthroatwithrollingnotes，andappearedsobigandbrilliantthatamongthemanycardinalsthathadgatheredtohear，therewasnotonetocomparewithhim。
　　Blackenvyfilledtheirhearts。Whowasthisflamingdashingstranger，flauntinghimselfinthefacesoftheirfemales？ThereweremanyunmatedcardinalsinRainbowBottom，andmanyjealousmales。AsecondtimetheCardinal，rockingandflashing，proclaimedhimself；andtherewasanoteoffeminineapprovalsostrongthathecaughtit。Tiltingonatwig，hiscrestflaredtofullheight，histhroatswelledtobursting，hishearttoobigforhisbody，theCardinalshoutedhischallengeforthethirdtime；whenclearandsharparoseacryinanswer，"Here!Here!
　　Here!"ItcamefromafemalethathadacceptedthecaressesofthebrightestcardinalinRainbowBottomonlythedaybefore，andhadspentthemorningcarryingtwigstoathicketofredhaws。
　　TheCardinal，witharoyalflourish，spranginairtoseekher；
　　butheroutragedmatewasaheadofhim，andwithascreamshefled，leavingatuftoffeathersinhermate’sbeak。InturntheCardinalstruckhimlikeaflashingrocket，andthenredwarwagedinRainbowBottom。Thefemalesscatteredforcoverwithalltheirmight。TheCardinalworkedinakissononepoorlittlebird，toofrightenedtoescapehim；thenthemalesclosedin，andseriousbusinessbegan。TheCardinalwouldhaveenjoyedafightvastlywithtwoorthreeopponents；butahalf—dozenmadediscretionbetterthanvalour。Hedartedamongthem，scatteringthemrightandleft，andmadeforthesycamore。Withallhisremainingbreath，heinsolentlyrepeatedhischallenge；andthenheadeddownstreamforthesumacwithwhatgracehecouldcommand。
　　TherewasanhourofangryrecriminationbeforesweetpeacebroodedagaininRainbowBottom。Thenewlymatedpairfinallymadeup；thefemalesspeedilyresumedtheircoquetting，andforgotthecaptivatingstranger——allsavethepoorlittleonethathadbeenkissedbyaccident。Sheneverhadbeenkissedbefore，andneverhadexpectedthatshewouldbe，forshewasacreatureofmanymisfortunesofeverynature。
　　Shehadbeenhatchedfromafiftheggtobeginwith；andeveryoneknowsthedisadvantageofbeginninglifewithfoursturdyolderbirdsontopofone。Itwasameageregg，andafeeblebabythatpippeditsshell。Theremainderofthefamilystoodandtooknearlyallthefoodsothatshealmoststarvedinthenest，andsheneverreallyknewtheluxuryofaheartymealuntilhereldershadflown。Thatlastedonlyafewdays；fortheotherswentthen，andtheirparentsfollowedthemsofarafieldthatthepoorlittlesoul，clamouringaloneinthenest，almostperished。Hunger—driven，sheclimbedtotheedgeandexercisedherwingsuntilshemanagedsomesortofflighttoaneighbouringbush。Shemissedthetwigandfelltotheground，whereshelaycoldandshivering。
　　Shecriedpitifully，andwasalmostdeadwhenabrown—faced，barefootboy，withafishing—poleonhisshoulder，passedandheardher。
　　"Poorlittlething，youarealmostdead，"hesaid。"IknowwhatI’lldowithyou。I’lltakeyouoverandsetyouinthebusheswhereIheardthoseotherredbirds，andthenyourmawillfeedyou。"
　　Theboyturnedbackandcarefullysetheronalimbclosetooneofherbrothers，andthereshegotjustenoughfoodtokeepheralive。
　　Sohertroublescontinued。Onceasquirrelchasedher，andshesavedherselfbycrowdingintoaholesosmallherpursuercouldnotfollow。Theonlyreasonsheescapedabigblueracerwhenshewenttotakeherfirstbath，wasthatahawkhadhiseyeonthesnakeandsnappeditupatjustthepropermomenttosavethepoor，quiveringlittlebird。Shewasleftsobadlyfrightenedthatshecouldnotmoveforalongtime。
　　Allthetribulationsofbirdlandfelltoherlot。Shewassofrailandweakshelostherfamilyinmigration，andfollowedwithsomestrangersthatwerenonetookind。LifeintheSouthhadbeenfulloftrouble。Onceabulletgrazedhersocloselyshelosttwoofherwingquills，andthatmadehermoretimidthanever。ComingNorth，shehadgivenoutagainandfinallyhadwanderedintoRainbowBottom，lostandalone。
　　Shewassuchashy，fearsomelittlebody，thefemalesallfloutedher；andthemalesneverseemedtonoticethattherewasmaterialinherforaveryfinemate。EveryotherfemalecardinalinRainbowBottomhadseveralmalescourtingher，butthispoor，frightened，lonelyonehadneverasuitor；andsheneededlovesobadly!Nowshehadbeenkissedbythismagnificentstranger!
　　Ofcourse，sheknewitreallywasnotherkiss。Hehadintendeditfortheboldcreaturethathadansweredhischallenge，butsinceitcametoher，itwashers，inaway，afterall。Shehidintheunderbrushfortheremainderoftheday，andwasneversofrightenedinallherlife。Shebroodedoveritconstantly，andmorningfoundheratthedowncurveofthehorseshoe，strainingherearsfortherarestnotesheeverhadheard。Alldayshehidandwaited，andthefollowingdayswerefilledwithlonging，buthenevercameagain。
　　Soonemorning，possessedwithcourageshedidnotunderstand，andfilledwithlongingthatdroveheragainstherwill，shestarteddowntheriver。Formilesshesneakedthroughtheunderbrush，andwatchedandlistened；untilatlastnightcame，andshereturnedtoRainbowBottom。Thenextmorningshesetoutearlyandflewtothespotfromwhichshehadturnedbackthenightbefore。Fromtheresheglidedthroughthebushesandunderbrush，tremblingandquaking，yetpushingstoutlyonward，strainingherearsforsomenoteofthebrilliantstranger’s。
　　Itwasmid—forenoonwhenshereachedtheregionofthesumac，andasshehoppedwarilyalong，onlyashortdistancefromher，fullandsplendid，thereburstthevoiceofthesingerforwhomshewassearching。Shesprangintoair，andfledamilebeforesherealizedthatshewasflying。Thenshestoppedandlistened，androllingwiththeriver，sheheardthoseboldtruetones。Closetoearth，shewentbackagain，toseeif，unobserved，shecouldfindaspotwhereshemightwatchthestrangerthathadkissedher。Whenatlastshereachedaplacewhereshecouldseehimplainly，hisbeautywassobewildering，andhissongsoenticingthatshegraduallyhoppedcloserandcloserwithoutknowingshewasmoving。
　　HighinthesumactheCardinalhadsunguntilhisthroatwasparched，andthefountainofhopewasalmostdry。TherewasnothingsavedefeatfromoverwhelmingnumbersinRainbowBottom。
　　Hehadparaded，andmadeallthemusicheeverhadbeentaught，andimprovisedmuchmore。Yetnoonehadcometoseekhim。WasitofnecessitytobetheLimberlostthen？Thisonedaymorehewouldretainhisdignityandhislocation。Hetipped，tilted，andflirted。Hewhistled，andsang，andtrilled。Overthelowlandandupanddowntheshiningriver，ringingineverychangehecouldinvent，hesentforthelasttimehispropheticmessage，"Wetyear!Wetyear!"
　　Chapter3
　　"Comehere!Comehere!"entreatedtheCardinalHefeltthathismusicwasnotreachinghisstandardasheburstintothisnewsong。Hewasalmostdiscouraged。NowayseemedopentohimbutflighttotheLimberlost，andhesodisdainedtheswampthatlove—makingwouldlosesomethingofitsgreatestcharmifheweredriventhereforamate。Thetimeseemedripeforstringentmeasures，andtheCardinalwasreadytotakethem；buthowcouldhestringentlyurgealittlematethatwouldnotcomeonhisimploringinvitations？Helistlesslypeckedattheberriesandflungabroadaninquiring"Chip!"Withjustanatomofhope，hefrequentlymountedtohischoir—loftandissuedanorderthatsavouredfarmoreofaplea，"Comehere!Comehere!"
　　andthen，leaning，helistenedintentlytothevoiceoftheriver，lesthefailtocatchthefaintestresponsive"Chook!"itmightbear。
　　Hecouldhearthesnifflingofcarpwallowingbesidethebank。A
　　bigpickerelslashedaround，breakfastingonminnows。Oppositethesumac，theblackbass，withgamyspring，snappedup，beforeitstruckthewater，everyluckless，honey—ladeninsectthatfellfromthefeastofsweetsinablossom—whitenedwildcrab。Thesharpbarkoftheredsquirrelandthelowofcattle，lazilychewingtheircudsamongthewillows，cametohim。Thehammeringofawoodpeckeronadeadsycamore，alittleabovehim，rolledtohisstrainingearslikeadrumbeat。
　　TheCardinalhatedthewoodpeckermorethanhedislikedthedove。
　　Itwasonlyfoolishlyeffusive，butthewoodpeckerwasaveritableBluebeard。TheCardinallongedtopullthefeathersfromhisbackuntilitwasasredashishead，forthewoodpeckerhaddressedhissuitinfineststyle，andwithdulcettonesandmeltingtendernesshadgoneacourting。Sweetasthedove’shadbeenhiswooing，andonemorepangthelonelyCardinalhadsufferedatbeingforcedtowitnesshisfelicity；yetscarcelyhadhisplump，amiablelittlemateconsentedtohiscaressesandapprovedthesycamore，beforeheturnedonher，peckedherseverely，andpulledatuftofplumagefromherbreast。Therewasnottheleastexcuseforthistyrannicalaction；andthesightfilledtheCardinalwithrage。HefullyexpectedtoseeMadamWoodpeckerdivorceherselfandfleehernewhome，andhemostearnestlyhopedthatshewould；butshedidnosuchthing。
　　Shemeeklyflattenedherfeathers，hurriedworkinalivelymanner，andtriedineverywaytoanticipateandaverthermate’sdispleasure。Underthistreatmenthegrewmoreabusive，andnowMadamWoodpeckerdodgedeverytimeshecamewithinhisreach。ItmadetheCardinalfeelsovengefulthathelongedtogoupanddrumthesycamorewiththewoodpecker’sheaduntilhetaughthimhowtotreathismateproperly。
　　Therewasplentlyoflarkmusicrollingwiththeriver，andthatmorningbroughtthefirstliquidgoldennotesoftheorioles。
　　Theyhadarrivedatdawn，andwereoverjoyedwiththeirhomecoming，fortheyweredartingfrombanktobanksingingexquisitelyonwing。Thereseemednoendtothebirdvoicesthatfloatedwiththeriver，andyettherewasnobeginningtotheonevoiceforwhichtheCardinalwaitedwithpassionatelonging。
　　Theoriole’ssingingwassoinspiringthatittemptedtheCardinaltoanothereffort，andperchingwherehegleamedcrimsonandblackagainsttheAprilsky，hetestedhisvoice，andwhensureofhistones，heentreatinglycalled："Comehere!Comehere!"
　　Justthenhesawher!Shecamedaintilyovertheearth，softasdownbeforethewind，arosyflushsuffusingherplumage，acoralbeak，herveryfeetpink——theshyest，mosttimidlittlethingalive。Herbrighteyeswerepoppingwithfear，anddownthereamongtheferns，anemonesandlastyear’sdriedleaves，shetiltedhersleekcrestedheadandpeeredathimwithfrightenedwonderandsilenthelplessness。
　　ItwasforthistheCardinalhadwaited，hoped，andplannedformanydays。Hehadrehearsedwhatheconceivedtobeeverypointofthesituation，andyethewasnotpreparedforthethingthatsuddenlyhappenedtohim。Hehadexpectedtorejectmanyapplicantsbeforeheselectedonetomatchhischarms；butinstantlythisshylittlecreature，slippingalongnearearth，takingasurreptitiouspeepathim，madehimfeelaverysmallbird，andhecertainlyneverbeforehadfeltsmall。Thecrushingpossibilitythatsomewheretheremightbeacardinalthatwaslarger，brighter，andafinermusicianthanhe，staggeredhim；
　　andworstofall，hisvoicebrokesuddenlytohiscompleteembarrassment。
　　Halfscreenedbytheflowers，sheseemedsolittle，soshy，sodelightfullysweet。He"chipped"carefullyonceortwicetosteadyhimselfandclearhisthroat，forunaccountablyithadgrowndryandhusky；andthenhetenderlytriedagain。"Comehere!Comehere!"imploredtheCardinal。Heforgotallabouthisdignity。Heknewthathisvoicewastremblingwitheagernessandhoarsewithfear。Hewasafraidtoattemptapproachingher，butheleanedtowardher，beggingandpleading。Heteasedandinsisted，andhedidnotcareaparticleifhedid。Itsuddenlyseemedanhonourtocoaxher。Herockedonthelimb。Heside—steppedandhoppedandgyratedgracefully。Hefluffedandflirtedandshowedhimselftoeveryadvantage。Itneveroccurredtohimthatthedoveandthewoodpeckermightbewatching，thoughhewouldnothavecaredintheleastiftheyhadbeen；andasforanyothercardinal，hewouldhaveattackedthecombinedforcesoftheLimberlostandRainbowBottom。
　　Hesangandsang。Everyimpulseofpassioninhisbig，crimson，palpitatingbodywasthrownintothosenotes；butsheonlyturnedherheadfromsidetoside，peeringathim，seemingsufficientlyfrightenedtofleeatabreath，andanswerednoteventhefaintestlittle"Chook!"ofencouragement。
　　TheCardinalrestedasecondbeforehetriedagain。Thatsteadiedhimandgavehimbettercommandofhimself。Hecouldtellthathisnoteswereclearingandgrowingsweeter。Hewasimproving。Perhapsshewasinterested。Therewassomeencouragementinthefactthatshewasstillthere。TheCardinalfeltthathistimehadcome。
　　"Comehere!Comehere!"Hewasonhismettlenow。Surelynocardinalcouldsingfuller，clearer，sweeternotes!Hebeganattheveryfirst，androllickedthroughastoryofadventure，colouringitwitheverywild，dashing，catchynotehecouldimprovise。Hefollowedthatwitharipplingsongofthejoyandfulnessofspring，innotesaslightandairyasthewind—blownsoulofmelody，andwithswayingbodykepttimetohisrhythmicmeasures。Thenheglidedintoasongoflove，andtenderly，pleadingly，passionately，toldthestoryasonlyacourtingbirdcantellit。Thenhesangasongofravishment；asongquaveringwithfearandthepaintuggingathisheart。Healmosthadrunthegamut，andshereallyappearedasifsheintendedtofleeratherthantocometohim。Hewasafraidtotakeevenonetimidlittlehoptowardher。
　　InafitofdesperationtheCardinalburstintothepassionsong。
　　Hearosetohisfullheight，leanedtowardherwithoutspreadquiveringwings，andcrestflaredtotheutmost，androckingfromsidetosideintheintensityofhisfervour，hepouredoutaperfecttorrentofpalpitantsong。Hiscardinalbodyswayedtotherollingfloodofhisecstatictones，untilheappearedlikeaflamingpulsingnoteofmaterializedmusic，asheentreated，coaxed，commanded，andpled。Fromsheerexhaustion，hethrewuphisheadtoroundoffthelastnotehecouldutter，andbreathlesslyglancingdowntoseeifshewerecoming，caughtsightofafaintstreakofgrayinthedistance。Hehadplannedsotosubduethelittlefemalehecourtedthatshewouldcometohim；hewasinhotpursuitahalfday’sjourneyawaybeforeherememberedit。
　　Noothercardinaleverenduredsuchachaseassheledhiminthefollowingdays。Throughfearandtimidityshehadkeptmostofherlifeintheunderbrush。TheCardinalwasabirdoftheopenfieldsandtree—tops。Helovedtorockwiththewind，andspeedarrow—likeingreatplungesofflight。Thisdartingandtwistingoverlogs，amongleaves，andthroughtangledthickets，tired，tried，andexasperatedhimmorethanhundredsofmilesofopenflight。Sometimeshedroveherfromcover，andthenshewildlydashedup—hillanddown—dale，seekinganotherthicket；butwherevershewent，theCardinalwasonlyabreathbehindher，andwitheverypassingmilehispassionforhergrew。
　　Therewasnotimetoeat，bathe，orsing；onlymileaftermileofunceasingpursuit。Itseemedthatthelittlecreaturecouldnotstopifshewould，andasfortheCardinal，hewasinthatchasetoremainuntilhislastheart—beat。Itwasaquestionhowthefrightenedbirdkeptinadvance。Shewasvisiblytheworseforthisardentcourtship。Twotailfeathersweregone，andtherewasabrokenonebeatingfromherwing。Onceshehadflowntoolow，strikingherheadagainstarailuntiladropofbloodcame，andshecriedpitifully。SeveraltimestheCardinalhadcorneredher，andtriedtoholdherbyabunchoffeathers，andcompelherbyforcetolistentoreason；butsheonlybrokefromhisholdanddashedawayastrickenthing，leavinghimhalfdeadwithlongingandremorse。
　　Butnomatterhowbaffledshegrew，orwhereshefledinherheadlongflight，theonethingshealwaysremembered，wasnottoleadtheCardinalintothepunishmentthatawaitedhiminRainbowBottom。Pantingforbreath，quiveringwithfear，longingforwell—concealedretreats，wornandhalfblindedbythedisastersofflightthroughstrangecountry，thetiredbirdbeatheraimlessway；butshewouldhavebeentorntopiecesbeforeshewouldhaveledhermagnificentpursuerintothewrathofhisenemies。
　　Poorlittlefeatheredcreature!Shehadbeenfleeingsomekindofdangerallherlife。Shecouldnotrealizethatloveandprotectionhadcomeinthissplendidguise，andshefledonandon。
　　OncetheCardinal，achingwithpassionandlove，fellbehindthatshemightrest，andbeforeherealizedthatanotherbirdwasclose，animpudentbigrelativeofhis，strayingfromtheLimberlost，enteredtheraceandpursuedhersohotlythatwithanoteofutterpanicshewheeledanddartedbacktotheCardinalforprotection。Whentotherushofragethatpossessedhimatthesightofarivalwasaddedtheknowledgethatshewasseekinghiminherextremity，suchamightywaveofangerswepttheCardinalthatheappearedtwicehisrealsize。LikeaflamingbrandofvengeancehestruckthatLimberlostupstart，andsenthimrollingtoearth，amassofbatteredfeathers。Withbeakandclawhemadehisattack，andwhenhesoutterlydemolishedhisrivalthathehoppedawaytrembling，withdishevelledplumagestainedwithhisownblood，theCardinalrememberedhislittleloveandhastenedback，confidentlyhopingforhisreward。
　　Shewassosecurelyhidden，thatalthoughhewentsearching，calling，pleading，hefoundnotraceofhertheremainderofthatday。TheCardinalalmostwentdistracted；andhistenderimploringcrieswouldhavemovedanyexceptapanic—strickenbird。Hedidnotevenknowinwhatdirectiontopursueher。
　　Nightcloseddown，andfoundhiminafeveroflove—sickfear，butitbroughtrestandwisdom。Shecouldnothavegoneveryfar。Shewastooworn。Hewouldnotproclaimhispresence。
　　Soonshewouldsufferpastenduringforfoodandwater。
　　Hehidinthewillowsclosewherehehadlosther，andwaitedwithwhatpatiencehecould；anditwasawiseplan。Shortlyafterdawn，movingstillyasthebreakofday，tremblingwithfear，shecameslippingtotheriverforadrink。Itwasalmostbrutalcruelty，butherfearmustbeovercomesomeway；andwithacryoftriumphtheCardinal，inaplungeofflight，wasbesideher。Shegavehimonestrickenlook，anddashedaway。Thechasebeganoncemoreandcontinueduntilshewasvisiblybreaking。
　　Therewasnoroomforarivalthatmorning。TheCardinalflewabreastofherandgaveheracaressorattemptedakisswheneverhefoundtheslightestchance。Shewasalmostwornout，herflightswerewaveringandgrowingshorter。TheCardinaldidhisutmost。Ifshepausedtorest，hecreptcloseashedared，andpiteouslybegged："Comehere!Comehere!"
　　Whenshetookwing，hesodexterouslyinterceptedhercoursethatseveraltimeshefoundrefugeinhissumacwithoutrealizingwhereshewas。Whenshedidthat，heperchedjustascloselyashedared；andwhiletheybothrested，hesangtoherasoftlittlewhisperedlovesong，deepinhisthroat；andwitheverynotehegentlyedgednearer。Sheturnedherheadfromhim，andalthoughshewaspantingforbreathandpalpitantwithfear，theCardinalknewthathedarednotgocloser，orshewoulddashawaylikethewildthingshewas。Thenexttimeshetookwing，shefoundhimsopersistentlyinhercoursethatsheturnedsharplyandfledpantingtothesumac。Whenthishadhappenedsooftenthatsheseemedtorecognizethesumacasaplaceofrefuge，theCardinalslippedasideandspentallhisremainingbreathinanexultantwhistleoftriumph，fornowhewasbeginningtoseehisway。Hedashedintomid—air，andwithagyrationthatwouldhavedonecredittoaflycatcher，hesnappedupagadflythatshouldhavebeenmorealert。
　　Withatender"Chip!"frombranchtobranch，slowly，cautiously，hecamewithit。Becausehewashalfstarvedhimself，heknewthatshemustbealmostfamished。Holdingitwhereshecouldsee，hehoppedtowardher，eagerly，carefully，thegadflyinhisbeak，hisheartinhismouth。Hestretchedhisneckandlegstothelimitashereachedtheflytowardher。Whatmatterthatshetookitwithasnap，andplungedaquarterofamilebeforeeatingit？Shehadtakenfoodfromhim!Thatwasthebeginning。
　　Cautiouslyheimpelledhertowardthesumac，andwithuntiringpatiencekepthertheretheremainderoftheday。Hecarriedhereverychoicemorselhecouldfindintheimmediatevicinityofthesumac，andoccasionallyshetookabitfromhisbeak，thoughoftenesthewascompelledtolayitonalimbbesideher。Atdusksherepeatedlydashedtowardtheunderbrush；buttheCardinal，withendlesspatienceandtenderness，maneuveredhertothesumac，untilshegaveup，andbeneaththeshelterofaneighbouringgrapevine，perchedonalimbthatwastheCardinal’sownchosenresting—place，tuckedhertiredheadbeneathherwing，andwenttorest。Whenshewassoundlysleeping，theCardinalcreptascloselyashedared，andwithoneeyeonhislittlegraylove，andtheotherrovingforanypossibledanger，hespentanightofwatchingforanydangerthatmightapproach。
　　Hewasalmostwornout；butthiswasinfinitelybetterthanthepreviousnight，atanyrate，fornowhenotonlyknewwhereshewas，butshewasfastasleepinhisownfavouriteplace。Huddledonthelimb，theCardinalgloatedoverher。Hefoundherbeautyperfect。Tobesure，shewasdishevelled；butshecouldmakehertoilet。Therewereafewfeathersgone；buttheywouldgrowspeedily。Shemadeaheart—satisfyingpicture，onwhichtheCardinalfeastedhislove—sicksoul，bythelightofeverystrayingmoonbeamthatslidaroundtheedgesofthegrapeleaves。
　　Waveafterwaveoftenderpassionshookhim。Inhisthroathalfthenighthekeptsoftlycallingtoher："Comehere!Comehere!"
　　Nextmorning，whentherobinsannounceddaybesidetheshiningriver，sheawokewithastart；butbeforeshecoulddecideinwhichdirectiontofly，shediscoveredanicefreshgrublaidonthelimbclosetoher，andverysensiblyremainedforbreakfast。
　　ThentheCardinalwenttotheriverandbathed。Hemadesuchdelightfulplayofit，andthesplashofthewatersoundedsorefreshingtothetireddraggledbird，thatshecouldnotresistventuringforafewdips。Whenshewaswetshecouldnotflywell，andheimprovedtheopportunitytopullherbrokenquills，helpherdressherself，andbestowafewextracaresses。Heguidedhertohisfavouriteplaceforasunbath；andfollowedthefarmer’splowinthecornfielduntilhefoundabigsweetbeetle。Hesnappedoffitshead，peeledthestiffwingshields，anddaintilyofferedittoher。Hewassodelightedwhenshetookitfromhisbeak，andremainedinthesumactoeatit，thatheestablishedhimselfonanadjoiningthorn—bush，wherethesnowyblossomsofawildmorning—glorymadeafinebackgroundforhisscarletcoat。Hesangtheoldpleadingsongasheneverhadsungitbefore，fornowtherewasatingeofhopebattlingwiththefearinhisheart。
　　Overandoverhesang，rounding，fulling，swellingeverynote，leaningtowardherincoaxingtenderness，flashinghisbrilliantbeautyasheswayedandrocked，forherapproval；andallthathehadsufferedandallthathehopedforwasinhissong。Justwhenhisheartwasgrowingsickwithinhim，hisstrainingearcaughtthefaintest，mosttimidcallalovereveranswered。Onlyoneimploring，gentle"Chook!"fromthesumac!Hissongbrokeinasuffocatingburstofexultation。Cautiouslyhehoppedfromtwigtotwigtowardher。Withtenderthroatymurmuringsheslowlyedgednearer，andwonderofwonders!withtiredeyesandquiveringwings，shereachedhimherbeakforakiss。
　　Atdinnerthatday，thefarmersaidtohiswife：
　　"Maria，ifyouwanttoheartheprettiestsingin’，an’seethecutestsightyoueversaw，jestcomedownalongthelinefencean’watchtheanticso’thatredbirdwebeenhearin’"
　　"Idon’tknowasredbirdsaresoscarce’atI’veanycalltowadethroughslushahalf—miletoseeone，"answeredMaria。
　　"Footin’sprettygoodalongthelinefence，"saidAbram，"an’youneversawaredbirdlikethisfellow。He’sasbigasanytwocommonones。He’ssoredeverybushhelightsonlookslikeitwasafire。It’spastallquestion，he’sbeensomebody’spet，an’
　　he’stakenmefortheman。Icangetinsixfeetofhimeasy。
　　He’sthefinestbirdIeverseteyeson；an’asforsingin’，he’sdroppedtheweather，an’he’saskin’folkstohishousewarmin’
　　to—day。He’sbeentherealoneforaweek，an’hissingin’sbeenfirst—class；butto—dayhe’spickedupamate，an’he’sastickledaseverIwas。Iamreallyconsarnedforfearhe’llbursthimself。"
　　Mariasniffed。
　　"Course，don’tcomeifyou’retired，honey，"saidthefarmer。"I
　　thoughtmaybeyou’denjoyit。He’sa—doin’meapowero’good。
　　MyjointsarelimbereduptillIcatchmyselfprettynearrunnin’，ontheupfurrow，an’then，downtowardsthefence，Igoslowso’stostaynearhimaslongasIcan。"
　　Mariastared。"AbramJohnson，haveyougonedaft？"shedemanded。
　　Abramchuckled。"Notamitedafter’nyou’llbe，honey，onceyouseteyesonthefellow。Bettercome，ifyoucan。You’reinvited。He’saskin’thewholeendurin’countrytocome。"
　　Mariasaidnothingmore；butshementallydecidedshehadnotimetofoolwithabird，whentherewerehousekeepingandspringsewingtodo。AssherecalledAbram’senthusiasticpraiseofthesinger，andhadawhiffoftheodour—ladenairasshepassedfromkitchentospring—house，shewascompelledtoadmitthatitwasatemptationtogo；butshefinishedhernoonworkandresolutelysatdownwithherneedle。Shestitchedindustriously，herthreadstraighteningwithaquicknervoussweep，learnedthroughyearsofexperience；andifhereyeswanderedriverward，andifshepausedfrequentlywitharrestedhandandlistenedintently，shedidnotrealizeit。Bytwoo’clock，aspiritofunrestthatdemandedrecognitionhadtakenpossessionofher。Settingherlipsfirmly，ascowlcloudingherbrow，shestitchedon。Byhalfpasttwoherhandsdroppedinherlap，Abram’snewhickoryshirtslidtothefloor，andshehesitatinglyaroseandcrossedtheroomtothecloset，fromwhichshetookherovershoes，andsetthembythekitchenfire，tohavethemreadyincaseshewantedthem。
　　"Pshaw!"shemuttered，"Igotthisshirttofinishthisafternoon。There’sbutteran’bakin’inthemornin’，an’MaryJaneSimmsiscomin’foravisitintheafternoon。"
　　Shereturnedtothewindowandtookuptheshirt，sewingwithunusualswiftnessforthenexthalf—hour；butbythreeshedroppedit，andopeningthekitchendoor，gazedtowardtheriver。
　　Everyintoxicatingdelightofearlyspringwasintheair。Thebreezethatfannedhercheekwasladenwithsubtleperfumeofpollenandthecrispfreshodourofunfoldingleaves。Curlingskyward，likeabeckoningfinger，wentaspiralofvioletandgraysmokefromthelogheapAbramwasburning；andscatteredoverspacesofamilewerehalfadozenothers，tellingastoryoftheactivityofhisneighbours。Likethelowmurmurofdistantmusiccamethebeatingwingsofhundredsofherbees，rimmingthewatertrough，insanewiththirst。Onthewood—piletheguineacockclatteredincessantly："Phutrack!Phutrack!"
　　Acrossthedooryardcametheoldturkey—gobblerwithfantailandaraspingscrapeofwing，evincinghisdelightinspringandmatingtimebyaseriesofexplosivesnorts。OnthebarnyardgatetheoldShanghaiwaslustilychallengingtomortalcombatoneofhiskindthreemilesacrosscountry。Fromtheriverarosethestridentscreamofherblueganderjealouslyguardinghisharem。Inthepoultry—yardthehensmadeanoisycacklingparty，andthestablelotwasfilledwithcattlebellowingforthefreedomofthemeadowpasture，asyetscarcelyreadyforgrazing。
　　Itseemedtothelittlewoman，hesitatinginthedoorway，asifallnaturehadenteredintoaconspiracytolureherfromherwork，andjustthen，clearandimperious，arosethedemandoftheCardinal："Comehere!Comehere!"
　　Blankamazementfilledherface。"AsI’malivin’woman!"shegasped。"He’schangedhissong!That’swhatAbrammeantbymebein’invited。He’saskin’folkstoseehismate。I’mgoin’。"
　　Thedullredofexcitementsprangintohercheeks。Shehurriedonherovershoes，anddrewanoldshawloverherhead。Shecrossedthedooryard，followedthepaththroughtheorchard，andcametothelane。Belowthebarnsheturnedbackandattemptedtocross。Themudwasdeepandthick，andshelostanovershoe；
　　butwiththehelpofasticksheprieditout，andreplacedit。
　　"JokeonmeifI’da—tumbledoverinthismud，"shemuttered。
　　Sheenteredthebarn，andcameoutaminutelater，carefullyclosingandbuttoningthedoor，andstarteddownthelinefencetowardtheriver。
　　Half—wayacrossthefieldAbramsawhercoming。Noneedtorecounthowoftenhehadlookedinthatdirectionduringtheafternoon。Heslappedthelinesontheoldgray’sbackandcametearingdowntheslope，hiseyesflashing，hischeeksred，hishandsfirmlygrippingtheplowthatrolledupalineofblackmouldashepassed。
　　Maria，staringathisflushedfaceandshiningeyes，recognizedthathiswholebeingproclaimedaninwardexultation。
　　"AbramJohnson，"shesolemnlydemanded，"haveyougotthepower？"
　　"Yes，"criedAbram，pullingoffhisoldfelthat，andgazingintothecrownasifforinspiration。"You’vesaidit，honey!Igotthepower!Gotitofalittleredbird!Powero’spring!Powero’song!Powero’love!Ifthatpoorlittleredtargetforsomeornerycuss’sbulletcangetallhe’sgettingouto’lifeto—day，there’snocausewhyareasonin’thinkin’manshouldn’trealizesomeo’hisblessings。Youhitit，Maria；Igotthepower。It’sthepowero’God，butIlearnedhowtolayholdofitfromthatlittleredbird。Comehere，Maria!"
　　Abramwrappedthelinesaroundtheplowhandle，andcautiouslyledhiswifetothefence。Hefoundapieceofthickbarkforhertostandon，andplacedherwhereshewouldbescreenedbyabigoak。Thenhestoodbehindherandpointedoutthesumacandthefemalebird。
　　"Jestyoukeepstillaminute，an’you’llfeelpaidforcomin’
　　allright，honey，"hewhispered，"butdon’tmakeanysuddenmovement。"
　　"Idon’tknowasIeversawaworse—lookin’specimen’ansheis，"
　　answeredMaria。
　　"Shelooksfirst—classtohim。There’snokickcomin’onhispart，Icantellyou，"repliedAbram。
　　Thebridehoppedshylythroughthesumac。Shepeckedatthedriedberries，andfrequentlytriedtoimproveherplumage，whichcertainlyhadbeenbadlydraggled；andtherewasadropofblooddriedatthebaseofherbeak。Sheplainlyshowedtheeffectsofherroughexperience，andyetshewasamostattractivebird；forthedimplesinherplumpbodyshowedthroughthefeathers，andinsteadoftheusualwickedlyblackeyesofthecardinalfamily，herswereasofttenderbrowntouchedbyalove—lighttherewasnomistaking。Shewasabeautifulbird，andshewasdoingallinherpowertomakeherselfdaintyagain。Hermovementsclearlyindicatedhowtimidshewas，andyetsheremainedinthesumacasifshefearedtoleaveit；andfrequentlypeeredexpectantlyamongthetree—tops。
　　Therewasaburstofexultationdowntheriver。Thelittlebirdgaveherplumageafluff，andwatchedanxiously。OncametheCardinallikeaflamingrocket，callingtoheronwing。Healightedbesideher，droppedintoherbeakamorseloffood，gaveherakisstoaiddigestion，caressinglyranhisbeakthelengthofherwingquills，andflewtothedogwood。Mrs。Cardinalenjoyedthemeal。Itstruckherpalateexactlyright。Shelikedthekissandcaress，cared，infact，forallthathedidforher，andwiththeappreciationofhistendernesscamerepentanceforthedreadfulchaseshehadledhiminherfoolishfright，andanimpulsetorepay。Shetookadaintyhoptowardthedogwood，andtheinvitationshesenthimwasexquisite。WithashrillwhistleofexultanttriumphtheCardinalansweredataheadlongrush。
　　Thefarmer’sgriptightenedonhiswife’sshoulder，butMariaturnedtowardhimwithblazing，tear—filledeyes。"An’youcallyourselfadecentman，AbramJohnson？"
　　"Decent？"quaveredtheastonishedAbram。"Decent？IbelieveI
　　am。"
　　"Ibelieveyouain’t，"hotlyretortedhiswife。"Youdon’tknowwhatdecencyis，ifyougopeekin’atthem。Theyain’tbirds!
　　They’refolks!"
　　"Maria，"pledAbram，"Maria，honey。"
　　"Iamplumbashamedofyou，"brokeinMaria。"Howd’yous’poseshe’dfeelifsheknewtherewasamanherepeekin’ather？
　　Ain’tshegotarighttobelovin’andtender？Ain’tshegotarighttopayhimbestsheknows？They’rejestcommonhumanbein’s，an’Idon’tknowwhereyougotprivilegetospyonafemalewhenshe’sdoin’thebestsheknows。"
　　Mariabrokefromhisgraspandstarteddownthelinefence。
　　InafewstridesAbramhadherinhisarms，hiswitheredcheekwithitsspringtimebloompressedagainstherequallywithered，tear—stainedone。
　　"Maria，"hewhispered，waveringly，"Maria，honey，Iwasn’tmeanin’anydisrespecttothesex。"
　　Mariawipedhereyesonthecornerofhershawl。"Idon’ts’poseyouwas，Abram，"sheadmitted；"butyou’rejestlikealltheresto’themen。Youneverthink!Nowyougoonwithyourplowin’
　　an’letthatlittlefemalealone。"
　　Sheunclaspedhisarmsandturnedhomeward。
　　"Honey，"calledAbramsoftly，"sinceyoubrought’emthatpocketfulo’wheat，youmightaswellletmehaveit。"
　　"Landy!"exclaimedMaria，blushing；"Iplumbforgotmywheat!I
　　thoughtmaybe，bein’soearly，pickin’wasscarce，an’ifyou’dputoutalittlewheatan’afewcrumbs，they’dstayan’nestinthesumac，asyou’resofondo’them。"
　　"JestwhatI’mfairlyprayin’they’lldo，an’Ibeencarryin’
　　stuffan’pettin’himupbestIknowedforaweek，"saidAbram，asheknelt，andcuppedhisshrunkenhands，whileMariaguidedthewheatfromherapronintothem。"I’llscatteritalongthetoprail，an’they’llbeafteritinfifteenminutes。Thankyou，Maria。’Twasgoodo’youtothinkofit。"
　　Mariawatchedhimsteadily。Howdearhewas!Howdearhealwayshadbeen!Howhappytheyweretogether!"Abram，"sheasked，hesitatingly，"isthereanythingelseIcoulddofor——yourbirds？"
　　Theywerecreaturesofhabitualrepression，andtheinnerglimpsestheyhadtakenofeachotherthatdayweresurprisestheyscarcelyknewhowtomeet。Abramsaidnothing，becausehecouldnot。Heslowlyshookhishead，andturnedtotheplow，hiseyesmisty。Mariastartedtowardthelinefence，butshepausedrepeatedlytolisten；anditwasnowonder，foralltheredbirdsfrommilesdowntheriverhadgatheredaroundthesumactoseeiftherewereabattleinbirdland；butitwasonlytheCardinal，turningsomersaultsintheair，andscreamingwithburstingexuberance："Comehere!Comehere!"
　　Chapter4
　　"Sodear!Sodear!"croonedtheCardinalShehadtakenpossessionofthesumac。Thelocationwasherselectionandheloudlyapplaudedherchoice。Sheplacedthefirsttwig，andafterexaminingitcarefully，hespentthedaycarryingherothersjustasmuchalikeaspossible。Ifsheusedadriedgrassblade，hecarriedgrassbladesuntilshebegandroppingthemontheground。Ifsheworkedinabitofwildgrape—vinebark，hepeeledgrape—vinesuntilshewouldhavenomore。Itneveroccurredtohimthathewasthelargestcardinalinthewoods，inthosedays，andhehadforgottenthatheworearedcoat。Shewasnotaskilledarchitect。Hernestcertainlywasalooseramshackleaffair；butshehadbuiltit，andhadallowedhimtohelpher。Itwashers；andheimprovisedapaeaninitspraise。Everymorningheperchedontheedgeofthenestandgazedinsonglesswonderateachbeautifulnewegg；andwhenevershecametobroodshesatasifentranced，eyeinghertreasuresinanecstasyofproudpossession。
　　Thenshenestledthemagainstherwarmbreast，andturnedadoringeyestowardtheCardinal。Ifhesangfromthedogwood，shefacedthatway。Ifherockedonthewildgrape—vine，sheturnedinhernest。Ifhewenttothecornfieldforgrubs，shestoodastridehereggsandpeereddown，watchinghiseverymovementwithunconcealedanxiety。TheCardinalforgottobevainofhisbeauty；shedelightediniteveryhouroftheday。Shyandtimidbeyondbeliefshehadbeenduringhercourtship；butshemadereparationbybeinganincomparablygenerousanddevotedmate。
　　AndtheCardinal!Hewasastonishedtofindhimselfcapableofsomuchandsuchvariedfeeling。Itwasnotenoughthathebroodedwhileshewenttobatheandexercise。Thedaintiestofeverymorselhefoundwascarriedtoher。Whensherefusedtoswallowanotherparticle，heperchedonatwigclosebythenestmanytimesinaday；andwithsleekfeathersandloweredcrest，gazedatherinsilentworshipfuladoration。
　　Upanddowntheriverbankheflamedandrioted。Inthesumacheutterednotthefaintest"Chip!"thatmightattractattention。
　　Hewassoanxioustobeinconspicuousthatheappearedonlyhalfhisrealsize。Alwaysonleavinghegaveheratenderlittlepeckandranhisbeakthelengthofherwing——acharacteristiccaressthathedelightedtobestowonher。
　　Ifhefeltthathewasdisturbinghertoooften，heperchedonthedogwoodandsangforlife，andlove，andhappiness。Hismusicwasinaminorkeynow。Thehigh，exultant，ringingnotesofpassionweremellowedandsubdued。Hewasimprovisingcradlesongsandlullabies。Hewastellingherhowhelovedher，howhewouldfightforher，howhewaswatchingoverher，howhewouldsignalifanydangerwereapproaching，howproudhewasofher，whataperfectnestshehadbuilt，howbeautifulhethoughthereggs，whatmagnificentbabiestheywouldproduce。Fulloftenderness，meltingwithlove，liquidwithsweetness，theCardinalsangtohispatientlittlebroodingmate："Sodear!Sodear!"
　　Thefarmerleanedonhiscorn—planterandlistenedtohimintently。"Iswanny!Ifhehasn’tchangedhissongagain，an’
　　thistimeI’mblestifIcantellwhathe’ssaying!"EverytimetheCardinalliftedhisvoice，theclipofthecorn—planterceased，andAbramhungonthenotesandstudiedthemover。
　　Onenighthesaidtohiswife："Maria，haveyoubeennoticin’theredbirdoflate？He’schangedtoanewtune，an’thistimeI’mcompletelystalled。Ican’tforthelifeofmemakeoutwhathe’ssaying。S’poseyoustepdownto—morrowan’seeifyoucancatchitforme。I’dgiveaprettytoknow!"
　　Mariafeltflattered。Shealwayshadbelievedthatshehadamusicalear。HerewasanopportunitytotestitandpleaseAbramatthesametime。Shehastenedherworkthefollowingmorning，andveryearlyslippedalongthelinefence。Hidingbehindtheoak，withstrainingearandthrobbingheart，sheeagerlylistened。"Clip，clip，"camethesoundoftheplanter，asAbram’sdearoldfiguretrudgedupthehill。"Chip!Chip!"camethewarningoftheCardinal，asheflewtohismate。
　　Hegavehersomefood，strokedherwing，andflyingtothedogwood，sangofthelovethatencompassedhim。Ashetrilledforthhistendercaressingstrain，theheartofthelisteningwomantranslatedasdidthatofthebroodingbird。
　　Withshiningeyesandflushedcheeks，shespeddownthefence。
　　Pantingandpalpitatingwithexcitement，shemetAbramhalf—wayonhisreturntrip。Forgetfulofherhabitualreserve，shethrewherarmsaroundhisneck，anddrawinghisfacetohers，shecried："Oh，Abram!Igotit!Igotit!Iknowwhathe’ssaying!Oh，Abram，mylove!Myown!Tomesodear!Sodear!"
　　"Sodear!Sodear!"echoedtheCardinal。
　　ThebewildermentinAbram’sfacemeltedintocomprehension。HesweptMariafromherfeetasheliftedhishead。
　　"Onmysoul!Youhavegotit，honey!That’swhathe’ssaying，plainasgospel!Icantellitplainer’nanythinghe’ssungyet，nowIsenseit。"
　　HegatheredMariainhisarms，pressedherheadagainsthisbreastwithatremblingoldhand，whilethefaceheturnedtothemorningwasbeautiful。
　　"IwishtoGod，"hesaidquaveringly，"’ateverycreatureonearthwasaswellfixedasmean’theredbird!"Claspingeachother，theylistenedwithraptfaces，as，mellowingacrossthecornfield，camethenotesoftheCardinal："Sodear!Sodear!"
　　AfterthatAbram’sdevotiontohisbirdfamilybecameamildmania。Hecarriedfoodtothetoprailofthelinefenceeveryday，rainorshine，withthesameregularitythathecurriedandfedNancyinthebarn。FromcaringforandsolovingtheCardinal，theregrewinhistenderoldheartawellingfloodofsympathyforeverybirdthathomedonhisfarm。
　　Hedroveastaketomarkthespotwherethekilldeerhenbroodedinthecornfield，sothathewouldnotdriveNancyoverthenest。Whenheclosedthebarsattheendofthelane，healwayswascarefultoleavethethirdonedown，fortherewasachippybroodingintheopeningwhereitfittedwhenclosed。Aldersandsweetbriersgrewinhisfencecornersundisturbedthatspringifhediscoveredthattheyshelteredananxious—eyedlittlemother。
　　Heleftasquareyardofcloverunmowed，becauseitseemedtohimthatthelark，singingnearertheThronethananyotherbird，waspickingupstraynotesdroppedbytheInvisibleChoir，andwithunequalledpurityandtenderness，sendingthemringingdowntohisbroodingmate，whosehomeandhappinesswouldbedespoiledbythereapingofthatspotofgreen。Hedelayedburningthebrush—heapfromthespringpruning，backoftheorchard，untilfall，whenhefoundithousedapairoffinethrushes；forthesongofthethrushdelightedhimalmostasmuchasthatofthelark。Heleftahollowlimbontheoldredpearmainapple—tree，becausewhenhecametocutittherewasapairofbluebirdstwitteringaround，franticwithanxiety。
　　Hispocketswerebulgywithwheatandcrumbs，andhisheartwasbigwithhappiness。Itwasthegoldenspringtimeofhislaterlife。Theskyneverhadseemedsoblue，ortheearthsobeautiful。TheCardinalhadopenedthefountainsofhissoul；