“Thank you, mamma. Good night, and pleasant dreams.”
“Good night, dear.”
Mabel went softly up stairs. “Ben,” said she, when she reached her room, but Ben had fallen asleep, and she had to shake him up.
“What kept you?” said Ben, in a sleepy tone.
“Why, I was not long, Ben. Do you now the name of that little girl who took such a fancy to Polly?”
“Yes,” said Ben. “It is Eva Granby. What do you want to know for?”
“I shall tell you sometime, you are too sleepy to talk to-night, so I shall let you go. Good night, Ben.”
“Good night,” said Ben, not sorry to be dismissed.
Mabel lay awake some time. She was sorry to part with her parrot, but after all it was only a bird. Mamma and Ben and Walt and dear little Joe should not suffer that she might keep it.
She could hear the music, from the great hotel on the hill, borne on the breeze, and that, with the happy frame of mind produced by the approval of her conscience, soon had the effect of sending her into a sound sleep, from which she awoke in the morning, refreshed and quite happy. She went about her accustomed duties with a light heart and singing like a lark. Mrs. Ross wondered, to hear her; what could be the source of her high spirits.