Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/128

124 the cello notes of an orchestra: "Creepy all up and down my backbone and my throat all choky with joy!"

The birds outdid themselves for her benefit on that first awakening in the country. She sprang from her bed and leaned so far out of her window she almost fell into the holly tree. A father robin and a father thrush were offering up their morning hymn of praise while the wives of their bosoms were busily engaged in trying to find enough breakfast for the gaping mouths of their respective families. A song sparrow had perched himself on the open blind of the parlor and was pouring forth a volume of melody.

To Rebecca it was all so new and wonderful that she forgot all about a possible breakfast and the necessary bath and clothes until Mandy knocked on her door, sent by Aunt Testy to remind her. Then a grand scramble ensued. The ugly black waist, so many sizes too large, was reluctantly donned.

"Mourning seems so out of place in such a world as this," she sighed, "but maybe Mrs. O'Shea knows best."

The dark curls would not come untangled, no matter how much she brushed and combed, and as a warning gong informed her that breakfast