Dickie, in Meg's old little wooden chair, was learning to catch the song of the different birds, and would listen intently and patiently while Meg tried to teach him how to distinguish them.
One day, seeing the lark soaring above their heads, she raised his hand, and pointed with his little finger as far as he could reach.
"It is up in the sky, Dickie, oh, so high! singing God's praise," she said.
And Dickie answered as he caught the sound—
"God's hymn-book."
"What did the child mean?" thought Meg, as she gathered him into her arms and kissed him again and again. "Was he thinking how Cherry sang out of her hymn-book at home? And what could the lark sing out of, but God's hymn-book?" She did not know; but she looked with awe into the little face, which already, to her mind, seemed to reflect the light of heaven.
"Mother-Meg," said Dickie, all unconscious of her thoughts, "I should like to stay here always, 'cause the birds do sing so nice."
"Yes, Dickie, so they do, but we couldn't stay here always, because of father-Jem and Cherry. They'll want us back again."
"Yes, we can't stay away from Cherry, 'cause she takes care o' Dickie when you're not there; and I love father-Jem too."
"We are going back to-morrow, Dickie; but some day I hope you and Cherry will both come and see my mother again."