"Now, do you mind, sir," cried Jasper, "else well stop your pretty plan."
"I won't hurry her," said Dick, slackening his gait. "Well, here we are," opening the dining-room door. "Why, Jane has let it out!"
Phronsie fell back a step at this and tried to cover her feet with her gown, searching the floor for the "it."
"Lookout!" cried Dick suddenly. "There he goes!" And something whirred over Phronsie's head.
"Oh! what is it?" she cried, tumbling into Jasper's arms and clasping his neck. "Oh! oh!"
"Why, it's a swallow," cried Dick, in the babel that ensued, "a beautiful one, too. I've just caught him, and I made Jane let me bring it in here to surprise you," he added proudly.
"Well, you've succeeded," cried Jasper, holding Phronsie close. "There, there, child, it's all right. It's a bird, Phronsie, and he's gone upstairs."
"He'll frighten my dolls," cried Phronsie in new alarm, hanging to Jasper's neck. "Oh! do let us go upstairs, and tell them he's only a bird."
"Run along, Dick, and catch your old bird," cried Jasper, "and clear out with him—quick now!"
"He's the best thing there is in this house," cried Dick, going over the back stairs two at a time. "Girls are so silly."