Then lonely, with empty cage and a happy heart-ache, his friend turned away and left the beautiful bird to his fate, assured that he was well able to supply his needs and to protect himself—in a word, to be free.


A BIRD OF AFFAIRS.

But now the sun is rising calm and bright;

The jay makes answer as the magpie chatters,

And all the air is filled with pleasant sound of waters,

All things that love the sun are out of doors.

Wordsworth.