The old shepherd and
his good wife shared in the contentment which filled their little home
to overflowing.
On the following morning, there was brought into this lowly hut another
guest who had rendered such helpful service in the speedy reuniting of
the separated family--the little canary bird.
Albert was delighted to see his bird again, for during his mother's
illness he had found it impossible to care properly for it, and had
reluctantly disposed of it at the fancier's in a distant village.
Count Berlow then related at length the circumstances which had brought
the bird into his possession and how it had helped to give him the
needed hope and strength to continue the journey which had ended so
successfully in their reunion.
Albert joined in the conversation, and said, "Wasn't it a happy thought
to teach the bird that particular song, when I knew so many songs? But
then, you see, it was the song nearest and dearest to my heart. It was
my father's song. Little did I think, when I had to part with my pet,
that it would be taken from me only to restore my father and sister to
me."
"So we see," said the Count, "how through a little trial we may find a
great joy. I trust that through our losses we all have gained in
humility and sympathy, which have a lasting worth; and perhaps God will
return to us our past fortune, just as he has returned your canary to
you."
Count Berlow was obliged to spend the winter under the roof of this
lowly hut, and Richard was housed in a neighboring one.
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