“‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ ses I.
“‘And why, might I ask?’ ses he.
“‘Well,’ ses I, ‘’tis only selfish people who can be really happy. Howsomever, let me hear what you have to say.’
“‘I caught a linnet with a crown of gold,’ ses he.
“‘You did!’ ses I.
“‘Yes, I did,’ ses he.
“‘There must be a finch or a canary in the family then,’ ses I.
“‘Maybe both,’ ses he.
“‘How does he sing?’ ses I.
“‘Sing!’ ses he. ‘Why, he never stops singing at all, only when the twilight fades and the darkness comes from east and west, and north and south, and the blackness of the night covers up the hills and the valleys, the trees and the rivers, and the streams and the houses themselves,’ ses he.