“About a year,” was the automatic answer.
She nodded musingly.
“I think there is no doubt of it,” she went on. “Mr. Selden used to say that he should know Jacky anywhere by the nick in his bill. And he sang ‘Annie Laurie’ just as this bird does. There! perhaps he will remember his name—Jacky! Jacky!” she coaxed.
Caruso cocked his pretty head, and returned a soft, sweet whistle.
“It is Jacky!” she exclaimed delightedly, “and he has not forgotten!”
“Mr. Selden?” questioned Daphne. “The one that used to sing and play when he came to see—”
“Yes, yes!” her sister hurriedly answered, adding something in a half whisper, the most of which Blue did not hear.
The child at once left the room, though with reluctance in her face.
The boy wondered why she had been sent away.
Miss Fleming came and took a chair near. Her face was very white, but red spots burned on her cheeks. Her dark blue eyes shone softly.