LeaningtowardAbram，theCardinalturnedhisheadfromsidetoside，andpeered，\"chipped，\"andwaitedforananswering\"Chip\"
fromalittlegolden—hairedchild，buttherewasnowayforthemantoknowthat。
\"It’sjestassureasfate，\"hesaid。\"Youthinkyouknowme，an’youaretryin’totellmesomethin’。WishtolandIknowedwhatyouwant!Areyoutryin’totellme`Howdy’？Well，Idon’t’lownobodytobepoliter’anIam，sofarasIknow。\"
Abramliftedhisoldhat，andtheraindropsglistenedonhiswhitehair。Hesquaredhisshouldersandstoodveryerect。
\"Howdy，Mr。Redbird!Howd’yefindyerselfthisevenin’？I
don’tjestriccolicteverseein’youbefore，butI’llnevermeetyouagin’thoutknowin’you。Whend’youarrive？Comethroughbythespecialmidnightflyer，didyou？Well，youneverwasmorewelcomeanyplaceinyourlife。I’dgivearightsmartsumthisminnitifyou’dsayyoucametosettleonthisriverbank。Howdoyoulikeit？Tomymindit’sjestasnearParadiseasyou’llstrikeonearth。
\"OldWabashisatwisterforcurvin’andwindin’round，an’it’slimestonebedhalftheway，an’thewater’sasprettyan’clearasinMaria’sspringhouse。An’asfortrimmin’，whysay，Mr。
Redbird，I’lljestleaveittoyouifsheain’talltrimmeduplikeawoman’sspringbunnit。Lookatthegrassa—creepin’rightdowntillit’satrailin’inthewater!Didyoueverseejestquitesuchfinefringywillers？An’youwaitalittle，an’theflowerin’mallows’atgrowslongtheshinin’oldriverarefineasgardenhollyhocks。Mariasays’atthy’dbepurtier’anhersiftheywereonlydouble；but，Lord，Mr。Redbird，theyare!See’emonceonthebank，an’agininthewater!An’backalittlean’there’sjestthicketsofpapaw，an’thorns，an’wildgrape—vines，an’crab，an’redan’blackhaw，an’dogwood，an’
sumac，an’spicebush，an’trees!Lord!Mr。Redbird，thesycamores，an’maples，an’tulip，an’ash，an’elmtreesaresobustin’fine’longtheoldWabashtheyput’emintopoetrybooksan’singsongsabout’em。Whatdoyouthinko’that？Jestbacko’youalittlethere’sasycamoresplitintofivetrunks，anyoneo’themafamousbigtree，topsup’mongtheclouds，an’
rootsdiggin’undertheoldriver；an’overalittlefarther’samaple’at’seightbigtreesinone。Mostanythingyoucanname，youcanfindit’longthisoleWabash，ifyouonlyknowwheretohuntforit。
\"They’smightyfewwhitementakesthetroubletolook，buttheIndiansusedtoknow。They’dcomecanoein’an’fishin’downtheriveran’campundertheseverytrees，an’Ma’udgitsomadattheoldsquaws。Settlerswasn’tsothickthen，an’youhadtobemightycarefulnottorile’em，an’they’dcomea—trapesin’withtheirwildberries。Woodsfullo’berries!Anybodycouldget’embythebushelforthepickin’，an’wehadn’tgotontoraisin’muchwheat，an’hadtocarryitonhorsesoverintoOhiotogetitmilled。TookPafivedaystomakethetrip；an’thentheblameoldsquaws’udcome，an’Ma’udbecompelledtohandoverto’emherbigwhiteloaves。Jestaboutsetherplumbcrazy。Usedtogetupinthenight，an’fixheryeast，an’bake，an’lettheovencool，an’hidethebreadoutinthewheatbin，an’getthesmellofitallouto’thehousebygooddaylight，so’s’atshecouldsaytherewasn’taloafinthecabin。Oh!ifit’sgoodpickin’you’reafter，they’sberriesforallcreation’longtheriveryet；an’jestwaitafewdaystilloldAprilgetsdoneshowerin’an’Iplowthiscornfield!\"
Abramsetafootonthethirdrailandleanedhiselbowsonthetop。TheCardinalchippeddelightedlyandhoppedandtiltedcloser。
\"Ihadn’tjest’lowedallwinterI’dtacklethisfieldagain。
I’veturnediteveryspringforfortyyear。BoughtitwhenIwasayoungfellow，jestmarriedtoMaria。Shoulderedabigdebtonit；butIalwayslovedtheseslopin’fields，an’myshareofthisoldWabashhasn’tbeenforsalenortradin’anytimethispastfortyyear。I’vehungontoitlikegrimdeath，forit’sjestthatmucho’ParadiseI’mplumbsureof。FirsttimeIplowedthisfield，Mr。Redbird，Ionlyhitthehighplaces。JestmarriedMaria，an’Ididn’ttouchearthanytoofrequentallthatsummer。I’veplowediteveryyearsince，an’I’vebeen’lowin’
allthiswinter，whentherheumatizwasgettin’initswork，’atI’dgiveitupthisspringan’turnittomedder；butIdon’tknow。OnceIgotstarted，b’lieveIcouldgoitallrightan’
notfeelitsomuch，ifyou’dstaytocheermeupalittlean’
postmeontheweather。HatethedoggondesttoownI’mworsted，an’ifyousayit’sstay，b’lieveI’lltryit。Verysighto’youkinderwarmsthecockleso’myheartallup，an’everyskipyoutakesetsmea—wantin’tobejumpin’，too。
\"Whatonearthareyoulookin’for？Man!Ib’lieveit’sgrub!
Somebody’sbeenfeedin’you!An’youwantmetokeepitup？
Well，youstruckitallright，Mr。Redbird。Feedyou？YoubetI
will!Youneedn’teven’rastleforgrubsifyoudon’twantto。
Likeasnotyou’refeelin’hungryrightnow，pickin’bein’soslimtheseairlydays。Land’ssake!Ihopeyoudon’tfeelyou’vecometoosoon。I’llfetchyoueverythingontheplaceit’slikelyaredbirdeverteched，airlyinthemornin’ifyou’llsayyou’llstayan’waveyourtorch’longmyriverbankthissummer。Ihaven’tascrapaboutmenow。Yes，Ihave，too!
Here’sahandfulo’cornIwastakin’tothebantyrooster；butshucks!he’sfatasayoungshoatnow。Corn’saleetlebigan’
hardforyou。MebbyIcansplititupamite。\"
Abramtookouthisjack—knife，anddottingarowofgrainsalongthetoprail，hesplitandshavedthemdownasfineaspossible；
andashereachedoneendoftherail，theCardinal，withaspasmodic\"Chip!\"dasheddownandsnatchedaparticlefromtheother，andflashedbacktothebush，tested，approved，andchippedhisthanks。
\"Pshawnow!\"saidAbram，staringwide—eyed。\"Doesn’tthatbeatyou？Soyoureallyareapet？Bestkindofapetinthewholeworld，too!Makin’everybody，atseesyouhappy，an’havin’somechancetobehappyyourself。An’Ilooklikeyourfriend？Well!
Well!I’mmonstrouswillin’toadoptyouifyou’lltakeme；an’，asforfeedin’，fromto—morrowonI’llfindtimetosetyourlittletable’longthissameraileveryday。Is’poseMaria’ullsay’atI’mgoneplumbcrazy；but，forthatmatter，ifIevergetherdowntoseeyoujestonce，thetrick’sdonewithher，too，foryou’retheprettiestthingGodevermadeintheshapeofabird，’atIeversaw。Lookatthattopknotawavin’inthewind!
Maybepraisetothefaceisopendisgrace；butI’lltakeyoursharean’mine，too，an’tellyourightherean’now’atyou’retheblamedestprettiestthing’atIeversaw。
\"ButLord!Youortn’tbesocareless!Don’tyouknowyouain’tnothin’butjestatarget？Whydon’tyoukeepouto’sightalittle？Youcomea—shinneyin’uptonineouto’tenmen’longtheriverlikethis，an’yourpurty，coaxin’，palaverin’waywon’tsaveafeatheronyou。You’llgetthelittleredheartshotplumboutenyourlittleredbody，an’that’swhatyou’llget。It’sadrattedshame!An’there’slawtoprotectyou，too。
They’sagoodbigfineforkillin’suchasyou，butnobodyseemstopushit。Everyfoolwantstotesthisaim，an’you’rethebrightestthingontheriverbankforamark。
\"Well，ifyou’llstayrightwhereyouare，it’ullbeasorrydayforanycuss’attechesyou；’atI’llpromiseyou，Mr。Redbird。
Thisland’smine，an’ifyoulocateonit，you’reminetilltimetogobacktothatotheroldfellow’atlookslikeme。Wonderifhe’sanywillingertofeedyouan’standupforyou’anIam？\"
\"Here!Here!Here!\"whistledtheCardinal。
\"Well，I’mmightygladifyou’resayin’you’llstay!Guessitwillbeallrightifyoudon’tmeetsomeo’themLimberlosthensan’toleofftotheswamp。Lord!theLimberlostain’ttobecomparedwiththeriver，Mr。Redbird。You’refoolishifyougo!
Talkin’’boutgoin’，Imustbegoin’myself，orMariawillbecomin’downthelinefencewiththelantern；an’，cometothinkofit，I’malittlemoist，nottosaydownrightdamp。ButthenyouWARNEDme，didn’tyou，oldfellow？Well，ItoldMariaseein’
you’udbelikemeetin’folks，an’ithasbeen。Gooddealmore’nIcountedon，an’I’vetalkedmore’nIhaveinawholeyear。
Hardlythinknow’atI’vethereputationo’beingamightyquietfellow，wouldyou？\"
Abramstraightenedandtouchedhishatbriminatrimhalfmilitarysalute。\"Well，good—bye，Mr。Redbird。Neverhadmorepleasuremeetin’anybodyinmylife’ceptfirsttimeImetMaria。
Youthinkabouttheplowin’，an’，ifyousay`stay，’it’sago!
Good—bye；an’dobealittlemorecarefulo’yourself。Seeyouinthemornin’，rightafterbreakfast，nocounttakeno’theweather。\"
\"Wetyear!Wetyear!\"calledtheCardinalafterhisretreatingfigure。
Abramturnedandgravelysalutedthesecondtime。TheCardinalwenttothetoprailandfeastedonthesweetgrainsofcornuntilhiscrawwasfull，andthennestledinthesumacandwenttosleep。Earlynextmorninghewasabroadandinfinetoilet，andwithafullvoicefromthetopofthesumacgreetedtheday——\"Wetyear!Wetyear!\"
Fardowntheriverechoedhisvoiceuntilitsocloselyresembledsomememberofhisfamilyreplyingthathefollowed，searchingthebanksmileaftermileoneitherside，untilfinallyheheardvoicesofhiskind。Helocatedthem，butitwasonlyseveralstaidoldcouples，alongtimemated，andbusywiththeirnest—building。TheCardinalreturnedtothesumac，feelingadegreelonelierthanever。
Hedecidedtoprospectintheoppositedirection，andtakingwing，hestarteduptheriver。Followingthechannel，hewingedhisflightformilesoverthecoolsparklingwater，betweenthetangleoffoliageborderingthebanks。Whenhecametothelongcumbrousstructuresofwoodwithwhichmenhadbridgedtheriver，wheretheshufflingfeetoftiredfarmhorsesraisedcloudsofdustandsettheechoesrollingwiththeirthunderoushoofbeats，hewasafraid；andrisinghigh，hesailedovertheminshortbrokencurvesofflight。Butwheregiantmapleandash，leaning，lockedbranchesacrossthechannelinoneofoldMotherNature’sbridgesforthesquirrels，heknewnofear，anddippedsolowbeneaththemthathisimagetrailedawaveringshadowonthesilverpathhefollowed。
Heroundedcurveaftercurve，andfrequentlystoppingonaconspicuousperch，flungaringingchallengeinthefaceofthemorning。Witheverymilethewayhefollowedgrewmorebeautiful。Theriverbedwaslimestone，andtheswiftlyflowingwater，clearandlimpid。Thebankswereprecipitateinsomeplaces，gentlyslopinginothers，andalwayscrowdedwithatangleoffoliage。
Atanabruptcurveintheriverhemountedtothesummitofabigashandmadeboastfulprophecy，\"Wetyear!Wetyear!\"andonallsidestheresprangupthevoicesofhiskind。Startled，theCardinaltookwing。Hefollowedtheriverinacirclingflightuntilherememberedthatheremightbetheopportunitytowinthecovetedrivermate，andgoingslowertoselectthehighestbranchonwhichtodisplayhischarms，hediscoveredthathewasonlyafewyardsfromtheashfromwhichhehadmadehisprediction。
TheCardinalflewoverthenarrowneckandsentanothercall，thenwithoutawaitingareply，againheflasheduptheriverandcircledHorseshoeBend。Whenhecametothesameashforthethirdtime，heunderstood。
Therivercircledinonegreatcurve。TheCardinalmountedtothetip—toplimboftheashandlookedaroundhim。Therewasneverafairersightfortheeyeofmanorbird。Themistandshimmerofearlyspringwereintheair。TheWabashroundedHorseshoeBendinasilvercircle，rimmedbyatangleoffoliageborderingbothitsbanks；andinsidelayalowopenspacecoveredwithwavingmarshgrassandthebluebloomofsweetcalamus。
Scatteredaroundweremightytrees，butconspicuousaboveany，intheverycenter，wasagiantsycamore，splitatitsbaseintothreelargetrees，whosewavingbranchesseemedtosweepthefaceofheaven，andwhoseroots，likemiserlyfingers，clutcheddeepintotheblackmuckofRainbowBottom。
Itwasinthislovelyspotthattherainbowatlastmaterialized，andatitsbase，freetoallhumanitywhocaredtoseek，theGreatAlchemisthadleftHisraresttreasures——thegoldofsunshine，diamondwater—drops，emeraldfoliage，andsapphiresky。
Forgoodmeasure，therewereaddedseeds，berries，andinsectsforthebirds；andwildflowers，fruit，andnutsforthechildren。Aboveall，thesycamorewaveditsmajestichead。
Itmadeathronethatseemedsuitableforthesonoftheking；
andmountingtoitstopmostbranch，formilestherivercarriedhischallenge：\"Ho，cardinals!Lookthisway!Beholdme!Haveyouseenanyotherofsogreatsize？Haveyouanytoequalmygrace？
Whocanwhistlesoloud，soclear，socompellinganote？Whowillflytomeforprotection？Whowillcomeandbemymate？\"
Heflaredhiscresthigh，swelledhisthroatwithrollingnotes，andappearedsobigandbrilliantthatamongthemanycardinalsthathadgatheredtohear，therewasnotonetocomparewithhim。
Blackenvyfilledtheirhearts。Whowasthisflamingdashingstranger，flauntinghimselfinthefacesoftheirfemales？ThereweremanyunmatedcardinalsinRainbowBottom，andmanyjealousmales。AsecondtimetheCardinal，rockingandflashing，proclaimedhimself；andtherewasanoteoffeminineapprovalsostrongthathecaughtit。Tiltingonatwig，hiscrestflaredtofullheight，histhroatswelledtobursting，hishearttoobigforhisbody，theCardinalshoutedhischallengeforthethirdtime；whenclearandsharparoseacryinanswer，\"Here!Here!
Here!\"ItcamefromafemalethathadacceptedthecaressesofthebrightestcardinalinRainbowBottomonlythedaybefore，andhadspentthemorningcarryingtwigstoathicketofredhaws。
TheCardinal，witharoyalflourish，spranginairtoseekher；
butheroutragedmatewasaheadofhim，andwithascreamshefled，leavingatuftoffeathersinhermate’sbeak。InturntheCardinalstruckhimlikeaflashingrocket，andthenredwarwagedinRainbowBottom。Thefemalesscatteredforcoverwithalltheirmight。TheCardinalworkedinakissononepoorlittlebird，toofrightenedtoescapehim；thenthemalesclosedin，andseriousbusinessbegan。TheCardinalwouldhaveenjoyedafightvastlywithtwoorthreeopponents；butahalf—dozenmadediscretionbetterthanvalour。Hedartedamongthem，scatteringthemrightandleft，andmadeforthesycamore。Withallhisremainingbreath，heinsolentlyrepeatedhischallenge；andthenheadeddownstreamforthesumacwithwhatgracehecouldcommand。
TherewasanhourofangryrecriminationbeforesweetpeacebroodedagaininRainbowBottom。Thenewlymatedpairfinallymadeup；thefemalesspeedilyresumedtheircoquetting，andforgotthecaptivatingstranger——allsavethepoorlittleonethathadbeenkissedbyaccident。Sheneverhadbeenkissedbefore，andneverhadexpectedthatshewouldbe，forshewasacreatureofmanymisfortunesofeverynature。
Shehadbeenhatchedfromafiftheggtobeginwith；andeveryoneknowsthedisadvantageofbeginninglifewithfoursturdyolderbirdsontopofone。Itwasameageregg，andafeeblebabythatpippeditsshell。Theremainderofthefamilystoodandtooknearlyallthefoodsothatshealmoststarvedinthenest，andsheneverreallyknewtheluxuryofaheartymealuntilhereldershadflown。Thatlastedonlyafewdays；fortheotherswentthen，andtheirparentsfollowedthemsofarafieldthatthepoorlittlesoul，clamouringaloneinthenest，almostperished。Hunger—driven，sheclimbedtotheedgeandexercisedherwingsuntilshemanagedsomesortofflighttoaneighbouringbush。Shemissedthetwigandfelltotheground，whereshelaycoldandshivering。
Shecriedpitifully，andwasalmostdeadwhenabrown—faced，barefootboy，withafishing—poleonhisshoulder，passedandheardher。
\"Poorlittlething，youarealmostdead，\"hesaid。\"IknowwhatI’lldowithyou。I’lltakeyouoverandsetyouinthebusheswhereIheardthoseotherredbirds，andthenyourmawillfeedyou。\"
Theboyturnedbackandcarefullysetheronalimbclosetooneofherbrothers，andthereshegotjustenoughfoodtokeepheralive。
Sohertroublescontinued。Onceasquirrelchasedher，andshesavedherselfbycrowdingintoaholesosmallherpursuercouldnotfollow。Theonlyreasonsheescapedabigblueracerwhenshewenttotakeherfirstbath，wasthatahawkhadhiseyeonthesnakeandsnappeditupatjustthepropermomenttosavethepoor，quiveringlittlebird。Shewasleftsobadlyfrightenedthatshecouldnotmoveforalongtime。
Allthetribulationsofbirdlandfelltoherlot。Shewassofrailandweakshelostherfamilyinmigration，andfollowedwithsomestrangersthatwerenonetookind。LifeintheSouthhadbeenfulloftrouble。Onceabulletgrazedhersocloselyshelosttwoofherwingquills，andthatmadehermoretimidthanever。ComingNorth，shehadgivenoutagainandfinallyhadwanderedintoRainbowBottom，lostandalone。
Shewassuchashy，fearsomelittlebody，thefemalesallfloutedher；andthemalesneverseemedtonoticethattherewasmaterialinherforaveryfinemate。EveryotherfemalecardinalinRainbowBottomhadseveralmalescourtingher，butthispoor，frightened，lonelyonehadneverasuitor；andsheneededlovesobadly!Nowshehadbeenkissedbythismagnificentstranger!
Ofcourse，sheknewitreallywasnotherkiss。Hehadintendeditfortheboldcreaturethathadansweredhischallenge，butsinceitcametoher，itwashers，inaway，afterall。Shehidintheunderbrushfortheremainderoftheday，andwasneversofrightenedinallherlife。Shebroodedoveritconstantly，andmorningfoundheratthedowncurveofthehorseshoe，strainingherearsfortherarestnotesheeverhadheard。Alldayshehidandwaited，andthefollowingdayswerefilledwithlonging，buthenevercameagain。
Soonemorning，possessedwithcourageshedidnotunderstand，andfilledwithlongingthatdroveheragainstherwill，shestarteddowntheriver。Formilesshesneakedthroughtheunderbrush，andwatchedandlistened；untilatlastnightcame，andshereturnedtoRainbowBottom。Thenextmorningshesetoutearlyandflewtothespotfromwhichshehadturnedbackthenightbefore。Fromtheresheglidedthroughthebushesandunderbrush，tremblingandquaking，yetpushingstoutlyonward，strainingherearsforsomenoteofthebrilliantstranger’s。
Itwasmid—forenoonwhenshereachedtheregionofthesumac，andasshehoppedwarilyalong，onlyashortdistancefromher，fullandsplendid，thereburstthevoiceofthesingerforwhomshewassearching。Shesprangintoair，andfledamilebeforesherealizedthatshewasflying。Thenshestoppedandlistened，androllingwiththeriver，sheheardthoseboldtruetones。Closetoearth，shewentbackagain，toseeif，unobserved，shecouldfindaspotwhereshemightwatchthestrangerthathadkissedher。Whenatlastshereachedaplacewhereshecouldseehimplainly，hisbeautywassobewildering，andhissongsoenticingthatshegraduallyhoppedcloserandcloserwithoutknowingshewasmoving。
HighinthesumactheCardinalhadsunguntilhisthroatwasparched，andthefountainofhopewasalmostdry。TherewasnothingsavedefeatfromoverwhelmingnumbersinRainbowBottom。
Hehadparaded，andmadeallthemusicheeverhadbeentaught，andimprovisedmuchmore。Yetnoonehadcometoseekhim。WasitofnecessitytobetheLimberlostthen？Thisonedaymorehewouldretainhisdignityandhislocation。Hetipped，tilted，andflirted。Hewhistled，andsang，andtrilled。Overthelowlandandupanddowntheshiningriver，ringingineverychangehecouldinvent，hesentforthelasttimehispropheticmessage，\"Wetyear!Wetyear!\"
Chapter3
\"Comehere!Comehere!\"entreatedtheCardinalHefeltthathismusicwasnotreachinghisstandardasheburstintothisnewsong。Hewasalmostdiscouraged。NowayseemedopentohimbutflighttotheLimberlost，andhesodisdainedtheswampthatlove—makingwouldlosesomethingofitsgreatestcharmifheweredriventhereforamate。Thetimeseemedripeforstringentmeasures，andtheCardinalwasreadytotakethem；buthowcouldhestringentlyurgealittlematethatwouldnotcomeonhisimploringinvitations？Helistlesslypeckedattheberriesandflungabroadaninquiring\"Chip!\"Withjustanatomofhope，hefrequentlymountedtohischoir—loftandissuedanorderthatsavouredfarmoreofaplea，\"Comehere!Comehere!\"
andthen，leaning，helistenedintentlytothevoiceoftheriver，lesthefailtocatchthefaintestresponsive\"Chook!\"itmightbear。
Hecouldhearthesnifflingofcarpwallowingbesidethebank。A
bigpickerelslashedaround，breakfastingonminnows。Oppositethesumac，theblackbass，withgamyspring，snappedup，beforeitstruckthewater，everyluckless，honey—ladeninsectthatfellfromthefeastofsweetsinablossom—whitenedwildcrab。Thesharpbarkoftheredsquirrelandthelowofcattle，lazilychewingtheircudsamongthewillows，cametohim。Thehammeringofawoodpeckeronadeadsycamore，alittleabovehim，rolledtohisstrainingearslikeadrumbeat。
TheCardinalhatedthewoodpeckermorethanhedislikedthedove。
Itwasonlyfoolishlyeffusive，butthewoodpeckerwasaveritableBluebeard。TheCardinallongedtopullthefeathersfromhisbackuntilitwasasredashishead，forthewoodpeckerhaddressedhissuitinfineststyle，andwithdulcettonesandmeltingtendernesshadgoneacourting。Sweetasthedove’shadbeenhiswooing，andonemorepangthelonelyCardinalhadsufferedatbeingforcedtowitnesshisfelicity；yetscarcelyhadhisplump，amiablelittlemateconsentedtohiscaressesandapprovedthesycamore，beforeheturnedonher，peckedherseverely，andpulledatuftofplumagefromherbreast。Therewasnottheleastexcuseforthistyrannicalaction；andthesightfilledtheCardinalwithrage。HefullyexpectedtoseeMadamWoodpeckerdivorceherselfandfleehernewhome，andhemostearnestlyhopedthatshewould；butshedidnosuchthing。
Shemeeklyflattenedherfeathers，hurriedworkinalivelymanner，andtriedineverywaytoanticipateandaverthermate’sdispleasure。Underthistreatmenthegrewmoreabusive，andnowMadamWoodpeckerdodgedeverytimeshecamewithinhisreach。ItmadetheCardinalfeelsovengefulthathelongedtogoupanddrumthesycamorewiththewoodpecker’sheaduntilhetaughthimhowtotreathismateproperly。
Therewasplentlyoflarkmusicrollingwiththeriver，andthatmorningbroughtthefirstliquidgoldennotesoftheorioles。
Theyhadarrivedatdawn，andwereoverjoyedwiththeirhomecoming，fortheyweredartingfrombanktobanksingingexquisitelyonwing。Thereseemednoendtothebirdvoicesthatfloatedwiththeriver，andyettherewasnobeginningtotheonevoiceforwhichtheCardinalwaitedwithpassionatelonging。
Theoriole’ssingingwassoinspiringthatittemptedtheCardinaltoanothereffort，andperchingwherehegleamedcrimsonandblackagainsttheAprilsky，hetestedhisvoice，andwhensureofhistones，heentreatinglycalled：\"Comehere!Comehere!\"
Justthenhesawher!Shecamedaintilyovertheearth，softasdownbeforethewind，arosyflushsuffusingherplumage，acoralbeak，herveryfeetpink——theshyest，mosttimidlittlethingalive。Herbrighteyeswerepoppingwithfear，anddownthereamongtheferns，anemonesandlastyear’sdriedleaves，shetiltedhersleekcrestedheadandpeeredathimwithfrightenedwonderandsilenthelplessness。
ItwasforthistheCardinalhadwaited，hoped，andplannedformanydays。Hehadrehearsedwhatheconceivedtobeeverypointofthesituation，andyethewasnotpreparedforthethingthatsuddenlyhappenedtohim。Hehadexpectedtorejectmanyapplicantsbeforeheselectedonetomatchhischarms；butinstantlythisshylittlecreature，slippingalongnearearth，takingasurreptitiouspeepathim，madehimfeelaverysmallbird，andhecertainlyneverbeforehadfeltsmall。Thecrushingpossibilitythatsomewheretheremightbeacardinalthatwaslarger，brighter，andafinermusicianthanhe，staggeredhim；
andworstofall，hisvoicebrokesuddenlytohiscompleteembarrassment。
Halfscreenedbytheflowers，sheseemedsolittle，soshy，sodelightfullysweet。He\"chipped\"carefullyonceortwicetosteadyhimselfandclearhisthroat，forunaccountablyithadgrowndryandhusky；andthenhetenderlytriedagain。\"Comehere!Comehere!\"imploredtheCardinal。Heforgotallabouthisdignity。Heknewthathisvoicewastremblingwitheagernessandhoarsewithfear。Hewasafraidtoattemptapproachingher，butheleanedtowardher，beggingandpleading。Heteasedandinsisted，andhedidnotcareaparticleifhedid。Itsuddenlyseemedanhonourtocoaxher。Herockedonthelimb。Heside—steppedandhoppedandgyratedgracefully。Hefluffedandflirtedandshowedhimselftoeveryadvantage。Itneveroccurredtohimthatthedoveandthewoodpeckermightbewatching，thoughhewouldnothavecaredintheleastiftheyhadbeen；andasforanyothercardinal，hewouldhaveattackedthecombinedforcesoftheLimberlostandRainbowBottom。
Hesangandsang。Everyimpulseofpassioninhisbig，crimson，palpitatingbodywasthrownintothosenotes；butsheonlyturnedherheadfromsidetoside，peeringathim，seemingsufficientlyfrightenedtofleeatabreath，andanswerednoteventhefaintestlittle\"Chook!\"ofencouragement。
TheCardinalrestedasecondbeforehetriedagain。Thatsteadiedhimandgavehimbettercommandofhimself。Hecouldtellthathisnoteswereclearingandgrowingsweeter。Hewasimproving。Perhapsshewasinterested。Therewassomeencouragementinthefactthatshewasstillthere。TheCardinalfeltthathistimehadcome。
\"Comehere!Comehere!\"Hewasonhismettlenow。Surelynocardinalcouldsingfuller，clearer，sweeternotes!Hebeganattheveryfirst，androllickedthroughastoryofadventure，colouringitwitheverywild，dashing，catchynotehecouldimprovise。Hefollowedthatwitharipplingsongofthejoyandfulnessofspring，innotesaslightandairyasthewind—blownsoulofmelody，andwithswayingbodykepttimetohisrhythmicmeasures。Thenheglidedintoasongoflove，andtenderly，pleadingly，passionately，toldthestoryasonlyacourtingbirdcantellit。Thenhesangasongofravishment；asongquaveringwithfearandthepaintuggingathisheart。Healmosthadrunthegamut，andshereallyappearedasifsheintendedtofleeratherthantocometohim。Hewasafraidtotakeevenonetimidlittlehoptowardher。
InafitofdesperationtheCardinalburstintothepassionsong。
Hearosetohisfullheight，leanedtowardherwithoutspreadquiveringwings，andcrestflaredtotheutmost，androckingfromsidetosideintheintensityofhisfervour，hepouredoutaperfecttorrentofpalpitantsong。Hiscardinalbodyswayedtotherollingfloodofhisecstatictones，untilheappearedlikeaflamingpulsingnoteofmaterializedmusic，asheentreated，coaxed，commanded，andpled。Fromsheerexhaustion，hethrewuphisheadtoroundoffthelastnotehecouldutter，andbreathlesslyglancingdowntoseeifshewerecoming，caughtsightofafaintstreakofgrayinthedistance。Hehadplannedsotosubduethelittlefemalehecourtedthatshewouldcometohim；hewasinhotpursuitahalfday’sjourneyawaybeforeherememberedit。
Noothercardinaleverenduredsuchachaseassheledhiminthefollowingdays。Throughfearandtimidityshehadkeptmostofherlifeintheunderbrush。TheCardinalwasabirdoftheopenfieldsandtree—tops。Helovedtorockwiththewind，andspeedarrow—likeingreatplungesofflight。Thisdartingandtwistingoverlogs，amongleaves，andthroughtangledthickets，tired，tried，andexasperatedhimmorethanhundredsofmilesofopenflight。Sometimeshedroveherfromcover，andthenshewildlydashedup—hillanddown—dale，seekinganotherthicket；butwherevershewent，theCardinalwasonlyabreathbehindher，andwitheverypassingmilehispassionforhergrew。
Therewasnotimetoeat，bathe，orsing；onlymileaftermileofunceasingpursuit。Itseemedthatthelittlecreaturecouldnotstopifshewould，andasfortheCardinal，hewasinthatchasetoremainuntilhislastheart—beat。Itwasaquestionhowthefrightenedbirdkeptinadvance。Shewasvisiblytheworseforthisardentcourtship。Twotailfeathersweregone，andtherewasabrokenonebeatingfromherwing。Onceshehadflowntoolow，strikingherheadagainstarailuntiladropofbloodcame，andshecriedpitifully。SeveraltimestheCardinalhadcorneredher，andtriedtoholdherbyabunchoffeathers，andcompelherbyforcetolistentoreason；butsheonlybrokefromhisholdanddashedawayastrickenthing，leavinghimhalfdeadwithlongingandremorse。
Butnomatterhowbaffledshegrew，orwhereshefledinherheadlongflight，theonethingshealwaysremembered，wasnottoleadtheCardinalintothepunishmentthatawaitedhiminRainbowBottom。Pantingforbreath，quiveringwithfear，longingforwell—concealedretreats，wornandhalfblindedbythedisastersofflightthroughstrangecountry，thetiredbirdbeatheraimlessway；butshewouldhavebeentorntopiecesbeforeshewouldhaveledhermagnificentpursuerintothewrathofhisenemies。
Poorlittlefeatheredcreature!Shehadbeenfleeingsomekindofdangerallherlife。Shecouldnotrealizethatloveandprotectionhadcomeinthissplendidguise，andshefledonandon。
OncetheCardinal，achingwithpassionandlove，fellbehindthatshemightrest，andbeforeherealizedthatanotherbirdwasclose，animpudentbigrelativeofhis，strayingfromtheLimberlost，enteredtheraceandpursuedhersohotlythatwithanoteofutterpanicshewheeledanddartedbacktotheCardinalforprotection。Whentotherushofragethatpossessedhimatthesightofarivalwasaddedtheknowledgethatshewasseekinghiminherextremity，suchamightywaveofangerswepttheCardinalthatheappearedtwicehisrealsize。LikeaflamingbrandofvengeancehestruckthatLimberlostupstart，andsenthimrollingtoearth，amassofbatteredfeathers。Withbeakandclawhemadehisattack，andwhenhesoutterlydemolishedhisrivalthathehoppedawaytrembling，withdishevelledplumagestainedwithhisownblood，theCardinalrememberedhislittleloveandhastenedback，confidentlyhopingforhisreward。
Shewassosecurelyhidden，thatalthoughhewentsearching，calling，pleading，hefoundnotraceofhertheremainderofthatday。TheCardinalalmostwentdistracted；andhistenderimploringcrieswouldhavemovedanyexceptapanic—strickenbird。Hedidnotevenknowinwhatdirectiontopursueher。
Nightcloseddown，andfoundhiminafeveroflove—sickfear，butitbroughtrestandwisdom。Shecouldnothavegoneveryfar。Shewastooworn。Hewouldnotproclaimhispresence。
Soonshewouldsufferpastenduringforfoodandwater。
Hehidinthewillowsclosewherehehadlosther，andwaitedwithwhatpatiencehecould；anditwasawiseplan。Shortlyafterdawn，movingstillyasthebreakofday，tremblingwithfear，shecameslippingtotheriverforadrink。Itwasalmostbrutalcruelty，butherfearmustbeovercomesomeway；andwithacryoftriumphtheCardinal，inaplungeofflight，wasbesideher。Shegavehimonestrickenlook，anddashedaway。Thechasebeganoncemoreandcontinueduntilshewasvisiblybreaking。
Therewasnoroomforarivalthatmorning。TheCardinalflewabreastofherandgaveheracaressorattemptedakisswheneverhefoundtheslightestchance。Shewasalmostwornout，herflightswerewaveringandgrowingshorter。TheCardinaldidhisutmost。Ifshepausedtorest，hecreptcloseashedared，andpiteouslybegged：\"Comehere!Comehere!\"
Whenshetookwing，hesodexterouslyinterceptedhercoursethatseveraltimeshefoundrefugeinhissumacwithoutrealizingwhereshewas。Whenshedidthat，heperchedjustascloselyashedared；andwhiletheybothrested，hesangtoherasoftlittlewhisperedlovesong，deepinhisthroat；andwitheverynotehegentlyedgednearer。Sheturnedherheadfromhim，andalthoughshewaspantingforbreathandpalpitantwithfear，theCardinalknewthathedarednotgocloser，orshewoulddashawaylikethewildthingshewas。Thenexttimeshetookwing，shefoundhimsopersistentlyinhercoursethatsheturnedsharplyandfledpantingtothesumac。Whenthishadhappenedsooftenthatsheseemedtorecognizethesumacasaplaceofrefuge，theCardinalslippedasideandspentallhisremainingbreathinanexultantwhistleoftriumph，fornowhewasbeginningtoseehisway。Hedashedintomid—air，andwithagyrationthatwouldhavedonecredittoaflycatcher，hesnappedupagadflythatshouldhavebeenmorealert。
Withatender\"Chip!\"frombranchtobranch，slowly，cautiously，hecamewithit。Becausehewashalfstarvedhimself，heknewthatshemustbealmostfamished。Holdingitwhereshecouldsee，hehoppedtowardher，eagerly，carefully，thegadflyinhisbeak，hisheartinhismouth。Hestretchedhisneckandlegstothelimitashereachedtheflytowardher。Whatmatterthatshetookitwithasnap，andplungedaquarterofamilebeforeeatingit？Shehadtakenfoodfromhim!Thatwasthebeginning。
Cautiouslyheimpelledhertowardthesumac，andwithuntiringpatiencekepthertheretheremainderoftheday。Hecarriedhereverychoicemorselhecouldfindintheimmediatevicinityofthesumac，andoccasionallyshetookabitfromhisbeak，thoughoftenesthewascompelledtolayitonalimbbesideher。Atdusksherepeatedlydashedtowardtheunderbrush；buttheCardinal，withendlesspatienceandtenderness，maneuveredhertothesumac，untilshegaveup，andbeneaththeshelterofaneighbouringgrapevine，perchedonalimbthatwastheCardinal’sownchosenresting—place，tuckedhertiredheadbeneathherwing，andwenttorest。Whenshewassoundlysleeping，theCardinalcreptascloselyashedared，andwithoneeyeonhislittlegraylove，andtheotherrovingforanypossibledanger，hespentanightofwatchingforanydangerthatmightapproach。
Hewasalmostwornout；butthiswasinfinitelybetterthanthepreviousnight，atanyrate，fornowhenotonlyknewwhereshewas，butshewasfastasleepinhisownfavouriteplace。Huddledonthelimb，theCardinalgloatedoverher。Hefoundherbeautyperfect。Tobesure，shewasdishevelled；butshecouldmakehertoilet。Therewereafewfeathersgone；buttheywouldgrowspeedily。Shemadeaheart—satisfyingpicture，onwhichtheCardinalfeastedhislove—sicksoul，bythelightofeverystrayingmoonbeamthatslidaroundtheedgesofthegrapeleaves。
Waveafterwaveoftenderpassionshookhim。Inhisthroathalfthenighthekeptsoftlycallingtoher：\"Comehere!Comehere!\"
Nextmorning，whentherobinsannounceddaybesidetheshiningriver，sheawokewithastart；butbeforeshecoulddecideinwhichdirectiontofly，shediscoveredanicefreshgrublaidonthelimbclosetoher，andverysensiblyremainedforbreakfast。
ThentheCardinalwenttotheriverandbathed。Hemadesuchdelightfulplayofit，andthesplashofthewatersoundedsorefreshingtothetireddraggledbird，thatshecouldnotresistventuringforafewdips。Whenshewaswetshecouldnotflywell，andheimprovedtheopportunitytopullherbrokenquills，helpherdressherself，andbestowafewextracaresses。Heguidedhertohisfavouriteplaceforasunbath；andfollowedthefarmer’splowinthecornfielduntilhefoundabigsweetbeetle。Hesnappedoffitshead，peeledthestiffwingshields，anddaintilyofferedittoher。Hewassodelightedwhenshetookitfromhisbeak，andremainedinthesumactoeatit，thatheestablishedhimselfonanadjoiningthorn—bush，wherethesnowyblossomsofawildmorning—glorymadeafinebackgroundforhisscarletcoat。Hesangtheoldpleadingsongasheneverhadsungitbefore，fornowtherewasatingeofhopebattlingwiththefearinhisheart。
Overandoverhesang，rounding，fulling，swellingeverynote，leaningtowardherincoaxingtenderness，flashinghisbrilliantbeautyasheswayedandrocked，forherapproval；andallthathehadsufferedandallthathehopedforwasinhissong。Justwhenhisheartwasgrowingsickwithinhim，hisstrainingearcaughtthefaintest，mosttimidcallalovereveranswered。Onlyoneimploring，gentle\"Chook!\"fromthesumac!Hissongbrokeinasuffocatingburstofexultation。Cautiouslyhehoppedfromtwigtotwigtowardher。Withtenderthroatymurmuringsheslowlyedgednearer，andwonderofwonders!withtiredeyesandquiveringwings，shereachedhimherbeakforakiss。
Atdinnerthatday，thefarmersaidtohiswife：
\"Maria，ifyouwanttoheartheprettiestsingin’，an’seethecutestsightyoueversaw，jestcomedownalongthelinefencean’watchtheanticso’thatredbirdwebeenhearin’\"
\"Idon’tknowasredbirdsaresoscarce’atI’veanycalltowadethroughslushahalf—miletoseeone，\"answeredMaria。
\"Footin’sprettygoodalongthelinefence，\"saidAbram，\"an’youneversawaredbirdlikethisfellow。He’sasbigasanytwocommonones。He’ssoredeverybushhelightsonlookslikeitwasafire。It’spastallquestion，he’sbeensomebody’spet，an’
he’stakenmefortheman。Icangetinsixfeetofhimeasy。
He’sthefinestbirdIeverseteyeson；an’asforsingin’，he’sdroppedtheweather，an’he’saskin’folkstohishousewarmin’
to—day。He’sbeentherealoneforaweek，an’hissingin’sbeenfirst—class；butto—dayhe’spickedupamate，an’he’sastickledaseverIwas。Iamreallyconsarnedforfearhe’llbursthimself。\"
Mariasniffed。
\"Course，don’tcomeifyou’retired，honey，\"saidthefarmer。\"I
thoughtmaybeyou’denjoyit。He’sa—doin’meapowero’good。
MyjointsarelimbereduptillIcatchmyselfprettynearrunnin’，ontheupfurrow，an’then，downtowardsthefence，Igoslowso’stostaynearhimaslongasIcan。\"
Mariastared。\"AbramJohnson，haveyougonedaft？\"shedemanded。
Abramchuckled。\"Notamitedafter’nyou’llbe，honey，onceyouseteyesonthefellow。Bettercome，ifyoucan。You’reinvited。He’saskin’thewholeendurin’countrytocome。\"
Mariasaidnothingmore；butshementallydecidedshehadnotimetofoolwithabird，whentherewerehousekeepingandspringsewingtodo。AssherecalledAbram’senthusiasticpraiseofthesinger，andhadawhiffoftheodour—ladenairasshepassedfromkitchentospring—house，shewascompelledtoadmitthatitwasatemptationtogo；butshefinishedhernoonworkandresolutelysatdownwithherneedle。Shestitchedindustriously，herthreadstraighteningwithaquicknervoussweep，learnedthroughyearsofexperience；andifhereyeswanderedriverward，andifshepausedfrequentlywitharrestedhandandlistenedintently，shedidnotrealizeit。Bytwoo’clock，aspiritofunrestthatdemandedrecognitionhadtakenpossessionofher。Settingherlipsfirmly，ascowlcloudingherbrow，shestitchedon。Byhalfpasttwoherhandsdroppedinherlap，Abram’snewhickoryshirtslidtothefloor，andshehesitatinglyaroseandcrossedtheroomtothecloset，fromwhichshetookherovershoes，andsetthembythekitchenfire，tohavethemreadyincaseshewantedthem。
\"Pshaw!\"shemuttered，\"Igotthisshirttofinishthisafternoon。There’sbutteran’bakin’inthemornin’，an’MaryJaneSimmsiscomin’foravisitintheafternoon。\"
Shereturnedtothewindowandtookuptheshirt，sewingwithunusualswiftnessforthenexthalf—hour；butbythreeshedroppedit，andopeningthekitchendoor，gazedtowardtheriver。
Everyintoxicatingdelightofearlyspringwasintheair。Thebreezethatfannedhercheekwasladenwithsubtleperfumeofpollenandthecrispfreshodourofunfoldingleaves。Curlingskyward，likeabeckoningfinger，wentaspiralofvioletandgraysmokefromthelogheapAbramwasburning；andscatteredoverspacesofamilewerehalfadozenothers，tellingastoryoftheactivityofhisneighbours。Likethelowmurmurofdistantmusiccamethebeatingwingsofhundredsofherbees，rimmingthewatertrough，insanewiththirst。Onthewood—piletheguineacockclatteredincessantly：\"Phutrack!Phutrack!\"
Acrossthedooryardcametheoldturkey—gobblerwithfantailandaraspingscrapeofwing，evincinghisdelightinspringandmatingtimebyaseriesofexplosivesnorts。OnthebarnyardgatetheoldShanghaiwaslustilychallengingtomortalcombatoneofhiskindthreemilesacrosscountry。Fromtheriverarosethestridentscreamofherblueganderjealouslyguardinghisharem。Inthepoultry—yardthehensmadeanoisycacklingparty，andthestablelotwasfilledwithcattlebellowingforthefreedomofthemeadowpasture，asyetscarcelyreadyforgrazing。
Itseemedtothelittlewoman，hesitatinginthedoorway，asifallnaturehadenteredintoaconspiracytolureherfromherwork，andjustthen，clearandimperious，arosethedemandoftheCardinal：\"Comehere!Comehere!\"
Blankamazementfilledherface。\"AsI’malivin’woman!\"shegasped。\"He’schangedhissong!That’swhatAbrammeantbymebein’invited。He’saskin’folkstoseehismate。I’mgoin’。\"
Thedullredofexcitementsprangintohercheeks。Shehurriedonherovershoes，anddrewanoldshawloverherhead。Shecrossedthedooryard，followedthepaththroughtheorchard，andcametothelane。Belowthebarnsheturnedbackandattemptedtocross。Themudwasdeepandthick，andshelostanovershoe；
butwiththehelpofasticksheprieditout，andreplacedit。
\"JokeonmeifI’da—tumbledoverinthismud，\"shemuttered。
Sheenteredthebarn，andcameoutaminutelater，carefullyclosingandbuttoningthedoor，andstarteddownthelinefencetowardtheriver。
Half—wayacrossthefieldAbramsawhercoming。Noneedtorecounthowoftenhehadlookedinthatdirectionduringtheafternoon。Heslappedthelinesontheoldgray’sbackandcametearingdowntheslope，hiseyesflashing，hischeeksred，hishandsfirmlygrippingtheplowthatrolledupalineofblackmouldashepassed。
Maria，staringathisflushedfaceandshiningeyes，recognizedthathiswholebeingproclaimedaninwardexultation。
\"AbramJohnson，\"shesolemnlydemanded，\"haveyougotthepower？\"
\"Yes，\"criedAbram，pullingoffhisoldfelthat，andgazingintothecrownasifforinspiration。\"You’vesaidit，honey!Igotthepower!Gotitofalittleredbird!Powero’spring!Powero’song!Powero’love!Ifthatpoorlittleredtargetforsomeornerycuss’sbulletcangetallhe’sgettingouto’lifeto—day，there’snocausewhyareasonin’thinkin’manshouldn’trealizesomeo’hisblessings。Youhitit，Maria；Igotthepower。It’sthepowero’God，butIlearnedhowtolayholdofitfromthatlittleredbird。Comehere，Maria!\"
Abramwrappedthelinesaroundtheplowhandle，andcautiouslyledhiswifetothefence。Hefoundapieceofthickbarkforhertostandon，andplacedherwhereshewouldbescreenedbyabigoak。Thenhestoodbehindherandpointedoutthesumacandthefemalebird。
\"Jestyoukeepstillaminute，an’you’llfeelpaidforcomin’
allright，honey，\"hewhispered，\"butdon’tmakeanysuddenmovement。\"
\"Idon’tknowasIeversawaworse—lookin’specimen’ansheis，\"
answeredMaria。
\"Shelooksfirst—classtohim。There’snokickcomin’onhispart，Icantellyou，\"repliedAbram。
Thebridehoppedshylythroughthesumac。Shepeckedatthedriedberries，andfrequentlytriedtoimproveherplumage，whichcertainlyhadbeenbadlydraggled；andtherewasadropofblooddriedatthebaseofherbeak。Sheplainlyshowedtheeffectsofherroughexperience，andyetshewasamostattractivebird；forthedimplesinherplumpbodyshowedthroughthefeathers，andinsteadoftheusualwickedlyblackeyesofthecardinalfamily，herswereasofttenderbrowntouchedbyalove—lighttherewasnomistaking。Shewasabeautifulbird，andshewasdoingallinherpowertomakeherselfdaintyagain。Hermovementsclearlyindicatedhowtimidshewas，andyetsheremainedinthesumacasifshefearedtoleaveit；andfrequentlypeeredexpectantlyamongthetree—tops。
Therewasaburstofexultationdowntheriver。Thelittlebirdgaveherplumageafluff，andwatchedanxiously。OncametheCardinallikeaflamingrocket，callingtoheronwing。Healightedbesideher，droppedintoherbeakamorseloffood，gaveherakisstoaiddigestion，caressinglyranhisbeakthelengthofherwingquills，andflewtothedogwood。Mrs。Cardinalenjoyedthemeal。Itstruckherpalateexactlyright。Shelikedthekissandcaress，cared，infact，forallthathedidforher，andwiththeappreciationofhistendernesscamerepentanceforthedreadfulchaseshehadledhiminherfoolishfright，andanimpulsetorepay。Shetookadaintyhoptowardthedogwood，andtheinvitationshesenthimwasexquisite。WithashrillwhistleofexultanttriumphtheCardinalansweredataheadlongrush。
Thefarmer’sgriptightenedonhiswife’sshoulder，butMariaturnedtowardhimwithblazing，tear—filledeyes。\"An’youcallyourselfadecentman，AbramJohnson？\"
\"Decent？\"quaveredtheastonishedAbram。\"Decent？IbelieveI
am。\"
\"Ibelieveyouain’t，\"hotlyretortedhiswife。\"Youdon’tknowwhatdecencyis，ifyougopeekin’atthem。Theyain’tbirds!
They’refolks!\"
\"Maria，\"pledAbram，\"Maria，honey。\"
\"Iamplumbashamedofyou，\"brokeinMaria。\"Howd’yous’poseshe’dfeelifsheknewtherewasamanherepeekin’ather？
Ain’tshegotarighttobelovin’andtender？Ain’tshegotarighttopayhimbestsheknows？They’rejestcommonhumanbein’s，an’Idon’tknowwhereyougotprivilegetospyonafemalewhenshe’sdoin’thebestsheknows。\"
Mariabrokefromhisgraspandstarteddownthelinefence。
InafewstridesAbramhadherinhisarms，hiswitheredcheekwithitsspringtimebloompressedagainstherequallywithered，tear—stainedone。
\"Maria，\"hewhispered，waveringly，\"Maria，honey，Iwasn’tmeanin’anydisrespecttothesex。\"
Mariawipedhereyesonthecornerofhershawl。\"Idon’ts’poseyouwas，Abram，\"sheadmitted；\"butyou’rejestlikealltheresto’themen。Youneverthink!Nowyougoonwithyourplowin’
an’letthatlittlefemalealone。\"
Sheunclaspedhisarmsandturnedhomeward。
\"Honey，\"calledAbramsoftly，\"sinceyoubrought’emthatpocketfulo’wheat，youmightaswellletmehaveit。\"
\"Landy!\"exclaimedMaria，blushing；\"Iplumbforgotmywheat!I
thoughtmaybe，bein’soearly，pickin’wasscarce，an’ifyou’dputoutalittlewheatan’afewcrumbs，they’dstayan’nestinthesumac，asyou’resofondo’them。\"
\"JestwhatI’mfairlyprayin’they’lldo，an’Ibeencarryin’
stuffan’pettin’himupbestIknowedforaweek，\"saidAbram，asheknelt，andcuppedhisshrunkenhands，whileMariaguidedthewheatfromherapronintothem。\"I’llscatteritalongthetoprail，an’they’llbeafteritinfifteenminutes。Thankyou，Maria。’Twasgoodo’youtothinkofit。\"
Mariawatchedhimsteadily。Howdearhewas!Howdearhealwayshadbeen!Howhappytheyweretogether!\"Abram，\"sheasked，hesitatingly，\"isthereanythingelseIcoulddofor——yourbirds？\"
Theywerecreaturesofhabitualrepression，andtheinnerglimpsestheyhadtakenofeachotherthatdayweresurprisestheyscarcelyknewhowtomeet。Abramsaidnothing，becausehecouldnot。Heslowlyshookhishead，andturnedtotheplow，hiseyesmisty。Mariastartedtowardthelinefence，butshepausedrepeatedlytolisten；anditwasnowonder，foralltheredbirdsfrommilesdowntheriverhadgatheredaroundthesumactoseeiftherewereabattleinbirdland；butitwasonlytheCardinal，turningsomersaultsintheair，andscreamingwithburstingexuberance：\"Comehere!Comehere!\"
Chapter4
\"Sodear!Sodear!\"croonedtheCardinalShehadtakenpossessionofthesumac。Thelocationwasherselectionandheloudlyapplaudedherchoice。Sheplacedthefirsttwig，andafterexaminingitcarefully，hespentthedaycarryingherothersjustasmuchalikeaspossible。Ifsheusedadriedgrassblade，hecarriedgrassbladesuntilshebegandroppingthemontheground。Ifsheworkedinabitofwildgrape—vinebark，hepeeledgrape—vinesuntilshewouldhavenomore。Itneveroccurredtohimthathewasthelargestcardinalinthewoods，inthosedays，andhehadforgottenthatheworearedcoat。Shewasnotaskilledarchitect。Hernestcertainlywasalooseramshackleaffair；butshehadbuiltit，andhadallowedhimtohelpher。Itwashers；andheimprovisedapaeaninitspraise。Everymorningheperchedontheedgeofthenestandgazedinsonglesswonderateachbeautifulnewegg；andwhenevershecametobroodshesatasifentranced，eyeinghertreasuresinanecstasyofproudpossession。
Thenshenestledthemagainstherwarmbreast，andturnedadoringeyestowardtheCardinal。Ifhesangfromthedogwood，shefacedthatway。Ifherockedonthewildgrape—vine，sheturnedinhernest。Ifhewenttothecornfieldforgrubs，shestoodastridehereggsandpeereddown，watchinghiseverymovementwithunconcealedanxiety。TheCardinalforgottobevainofhisbeauty；shedelightediniteveryhouroftheday。Shyandtimidbeyondbeliefshehadbeenduringhercourtship；butshemadereparationbybeinganincomparablygenerousanddevotedmate。
AndtheCardinal!Hewasastonishedtofindhimselfcapableofsomuchandsuchvariedfeeling。Itwasnotenoughthathebroodedwhileshewenttobatheandexercise。Thedaintiestofeverymorselhefoundwascarriedtoher。Whensherefusedtoswallowanotherparticle，heperchedonatwigclosebythenestmanytimesinaday；andwithsleekfeathersandloweredcrest，gazedatherinsilentworshipfuladoration。
Upanddowntheriverbankheflamedandrioted。Inthesumacheutterednotthefaintest\"Chip!\"thatmightattractattention。
Hewassoanxioustobeinconspicuousthatheappearedonlyhalfhisrealsize。Alwaysonleavinghegaveheratenderlittlepeckandranhisbeakthelengthofherwing——acharacteristiccaressthathedelightedtobestowonher。
Ifhefeltthathewasdisturbinghertoooften，heperchedonthedogwoodandsangforlife，andlove，andhappiness。Hismusicwasinaminorkeynow。Thehigh，exultant，ringingnotesofpassionweremellowedandsubdued。Hewasimprovisingcradlesongsandlullabies。Hewastellingherhowhelovedher，howhewouldfightforher，howhewaswatchingoverher，howhewouldsignalifanydangerwereapproaching，howproudhewasofher，whataperfectnestshehadbuilt，howbeautifulhethoughthereggs，whatmagnificentbabiestheywouldproduce。Fulloftenderness，meltingwithlove，liquidwithsweetness，theCardinalsangtohispatientlittlebroodingmate：\"Sodear!Sodear!\"
Thefarmerleanedonhiscorn—planterandlistenedtohimintently。\"Iswanny!Ifhehasn’tchangedhissongagain，an’
thistimeI’mblestifIcantellwhathe’ssaying!\"EverytimetheCardinalliftedhisvoice，theclipofthecorn—planterceased，andAbramhungonthenotesandstudiedthemover。
Onenighthesaidtohiswife：\"Maria，haveyoubeennoticin’theredbirdoflate？He’schangedtoanewtune，an’thistimeI’mcompletelystalled。Ican’tforthelifeofmemakeoutwhathe’ssaying。S’poseyoustepdownto—morrowan’seeifyoucancatchitforme。I’dgiveaprettytoknow!\"
Mariafeltflattered。Shealwayshadbelievedthatshehadamusicalear。HerewasanopportunitytotestitandpleaseAbramatthesametime。Shehastenedherworkthefollowingmorning，andveryearlyslippedalongthelinefence。Hidingbehindtheoak，withstrainingearandthrobbingheart，sheeagerlylistened。\"Clip，clip，\"camethesoundoftheplanter，asAbram’sdearoldfiguretrudgedupthehill。\"Chip!Chip!\"camethewarningoftheCardinal，asheflewtohismate。
Hegavehersomefood，strokedherwing，andflyingtothedogwood，sangofthelovethatencompassedhim。Ashetrilledforthhistendercaressingstrain，theheartofthelisteningwomantranslatedasdidthatofthebroodingbird。
Withshiningeyesandflushedcheeks，shespeddownthefence。
Pantingandpalpitatingwithexcitement，shemetAbramhalf—wayonhisreturntrip。Forgetfulofherhabitualreserve，shethrewherarmsaroundhisneck，anddrawinghisfacetohers，shecried：\"Oh，Abram!Igotit!Igotit!Iknowwhathe’ssaying!Oh，Abram，mylove!Myown!Tomesodear!Sodear!\"
\"Sodear!Sodear!\"echoedtheCardinal。
ThebewildermentinAbram’sfacemeltedintocomprehension。HesweptMariafromherfeetasheliftedhishead。
\"Onmysoul!Youhavegotit，honey!That’swhathe’ssaying，plainasgospel!Icantellitplainer’nanythinghe’ssungyet，nowIsenseit。\"
HegatheredMariainhisarms，pressedherheadagainsthisbreastwithatremblingoldhand，whilethefaceheturnedtothemorningwasbeautiful。
\"IwishtoGod，\"hesaidquaveringly，\"’ateverycreatureonearthwasaswellfixedasmean’theredbird!\"Claspingeachother，theylistenedwithraptfaces，as，mellowingacrossthecornfield，camethenotesoftheCardinal：\"Sodear!Sodear!\"
AfterthatAbram’sdevotiontohisbirdfamilybecameamildmania。Hecarriedfoodtothetoprailofthelinefenceeveryday，rainorshine，withthesameregularitythathecurriedandfedNancyinthebarn。FromcaringforandsolovingtheCardinal，theregrewinhistenderoldheartawellingfloodofsympathyforeverybirdthathomedonhisfarm。
Hedroveastaketomarkthespotwherethekilldeerhenbroodedinthecornfield，sothathewouldnotdriveNancyoverthenest。Whenheclosedthebarsattheendofthelane，healwayswascarefultoleavethethirdonedown，fortherewasachippybroodingintheopeningwhereitfittedwhenclosed。Aldersandsweetbriersgrewinhisfencecornersundisturbedthatspringifhediscoveredthattheyshelteredananxious—eyedlittlemother。
Heleftasquareyardofcloverunmowed，becauseitseemedtohimthatthelark，singingnearertheThronethananyotherbird，waspickingupstraynotesdroppedbytheInvisibleChoir，andwithunequalledpurityandtenderness，sendingthemringingdowntohisbroodingmate，whosehomeandhappinesswouldbedespoiledbythereapingofthatspotofgreen。Hedelayedburningthebrush—heapfromthespringpruning，backoftheorchard，untilfall，whenhefoundithousedapairoffinethrushes；forthesongofthethrushdelightedhimalmostasmuchasthatofthelark。Heleftahollowlimbontheoldredpearmainapple—tree，becausewhenhecametocutittherewasapairofbluebirdstwitteringaround，franticwithanxiety。
Hispocketswerebulgywithwheatandcrumbs，andhisheartwasbigwithhappiness。Itwasthegoldenspringtimeofhislaterlife。Theskyneverhadseemedsoblue，ortheearthsobeautiful。TheCardinalhadopenedthefountainsofhissoul；