“Hush, dear Viola, hush, you don't know what you are saying,” replied Ephraim, “I believe in it, because mother herself told us... you must believe in it too.”
But Viola again shook her head. “I don't believe in it any longer,” she moaned, “I can't.”
Noiselessly, Ephraim walked toward the door of the front room; he placed his ear against the keyhole, and listened. Within all was silent. A fresh terror seized him. Why was no sound to be heard?... He opened the door cautiously lest it should creak. There sat his father asleep in the arm-chair, his head bent on his bosom, his arms hanging limp by his side.
“Hush, Viola,” he whispered, closing the door as cautiously as he had opened it, “he is asleep....I think it will do him good. Be careful that you make no noise.”
Viola had seated herself upon a block of wood outside the kitchen door, and was sobbing silently. In the meantime, Ephraim, unable to find a word of solace for his sister, went and stood at the street door, so that no unbidden guest should come to disturb his father's slumbers. It was mid-day; from the church hard by streamed the peasants and their wives in their Sunday attire, and many bestowed a friendly smile upon the well-known youth. But he could only nod his head in return, his heart was sore oppressed, and a smile at such a moment seemed to him nothing short of sin. He went back into the house, and listened at the door of the room. Silence still reigned unbroken, and with noiseless steps he again walked away.
“He is still sleeping,” he whispered to his sister. “Just think what would have happened if we had still had that bird.... He would n't have been able to sleep a wink.”
“Ephraim, why do you remind me of it?” cried Viola with a fresh outburst of tears. “Where is the little bird now, I wonder?...”
Ephraim sat down beside his sister, and took her hand in his. Thus they remained seated for some time, unable to find a word of comfort for each other.
At length movements were heard. Ephraim sprang to his feet and once more approached the door to listen.
“He is awake!” he softly said to Viola, and slowly opening the door, he entered the room.