"Very fine," said the preacher. "What color is his mate? Is she red?"
"She's green, a lovely olive green. When she sits on the nest she's just the color of her surroundings. If she were red like her mate she'd be too easily destroyed."
"God's providence," said the preacher.
"It is wonderful—look, Phares, there he goes!"
The scarlet tanager made a streak of vivid color across the sky as he flew off over the corn.
"I wonder if he trusts us or if his mate is not about," Phœbe said. "He's a beauty, so is his mate in her green frock. A few minutes with the birds can teach us a great deal, can't it?"
"Yes, Phœbe, here, right near your home, are countless lessons to be learned and accomplishments to be acquired. Tell me, do you still wish to go away to the city?"
"Certainly. I am going in September."
"You remember the verse in the Third Reader we used to have at school:
"'Stay, stay at home, my heart and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest.
For those who wander, they know not where,
Are full of trouble and full of care;
To stay at home is best.'"