"And now," she whispered, "there lie the days of sunshine and happiness ahead of us, Frank; and oh, how we will enjoy them, you and I and Billy."
"Yes, we mustn't forget Billy, God bless him."
In the outer room the learned discussion was terminated suddenly by a loud exclamation from the old doctor.
"God love us, it's a crow!" he cried, "and the rascal has appropriated my glasses! Laid 'em on my chair-arm for an instant and the cheeky beggar swooped in through the open window and picked 'em up."
"That's Croaker," laughed Erie. "Billy won't be far behind him. I had better go out and explain things, Frank."
She touched her warm lips to his and went into the adjoining room to find Croaker perched on a curtain-pole, animatedly congratulating himself on the new and wonderful shiny thing he had been so fortunate as to discover.
"Croaker," Erie called. At the sound of her voice the crow stopped trying to tear the nosepiece from the lens and cocked his head side-wise.
"Kowakk," he gurgled, which meant "I thought I knew you, Miss, but I guess I don't."
"Croaker, good old Croaker, come down and I'll get you a cookie," Erie begged.
Croaker considered this last statement a moment. Then he carefully raised one foot and twisted half way around on the bar.