Page:Sparrow, the tramp (IA sparrowtramp00wess).pdf/219

This page needs to be proofread.

husband come home yet? He ought to be in by this time."

"Oh! he'll come soon, I dare say," answered the bright-eyed sparrow cheerfully; "he's probably been detained by business."

"Don't feel anxious, my dear," said Mrs. Polly; "nothing will happen to him."

"Oh, I'm not at all anxious," said the bright-eyed sparrow, with a great attempt at cheerfulness; but her voice was not as hopeful as her words, and it had a sad tone that quite touched Mrs. Polly.

"He's been away all day long," whispered the canary to Mrs. Polly; "I saw him go off early this morning, and if she sees him before to-morrow morning it's more than I think she will."

"I declare it is too bad, too bad!" said Mrs. Polly, shaking her head gravely.

The canary was right. Just before day-*break the next morning they heard the sparrow come home; and although the din-