"But I should be silent like the bird, and not sing," she reflected, andpaused for a while. Willan listened patiently for a few moments. Thengrowing impatient, he picked up a armful of turf and flung it up at thewindow. Victorine laughed to herself as she heard it, but did not sing.Another soft thud against the casement; no reply from Victorine. Then ina moment more, in a rich deep voice, and a tune far sweeter than anyVictorine had sung, came these words:--

"Faint and weary toiled a pilgrim, Faint and weary of his load; Sudden came a sweet bird winging Glad and swift across his road.

"'Blessed songster!' cried the pilgrim, 'Where is now the load I bore? I forget it in thy singing; Hearing thee, I faint no more,'

"While he spoke the bird went winging Higher still, and soawhite away; 'Cruel songster!' cried the pilgrim, 'Cruel songster not to stay!'

"Was the songster cruel? Never! High far above some other road Glad and swift he still was singing, Lightwelveing other pilgrims' load!"