"In a moment. Turn the cage sideways, Nat, so that we can watch them through the bushes—so, and please keep quite still. Now, Dodo, open the little door—carefully."
For two or three minutes there was perfect silence. Four young people squeezed behind a tree, and a Wise Man down on his hands and knees behind a stump—all watching two forlorn birds, who did not understand that liberty was theirs for the taking.
Mrs. Cardinal put out her head, then took a step and hopped along the ground into a cornel bush; where, after looking around a moment, she began to smooth her poor feather's. Another minute and Mr. Cardinal followed, giving a sharp chip like a loud Sparrow call. They both hopped off as if they were not half sure their freedom was real.
"I think they might have sung to us," whispered Dodo.
"Too soon," said the Doctor; "but I'm sure that we have not seen or heard the last of our Cardinals."
"Hist!" said Nat, "they are taking a bath in the brook this side of the stepping-stones." And so they were.
The Cardinal
Length eight and a quarter inches.
Male: splendid cardinal-red, with a black throat and band about the coral-red bill, and a fine long crest, like a Cedar Waxwing's.
Female: yellowish-brown with a little red in her crest, wings, and tail, and her face not so black as her mate's.