<8 Last of all the bull-finch spoke in a high 

 clear voice : 



S " He took pleasure in my singing. He 

 praised my feathers, and gave me seeds and 

 water. The door of my cage stood always 

 open and I could flit where I willed. He 

 protected and befriended me, as he did all 

 those who suffered and had need." 

 SS Now Sylvester was ashamed to hear him- 

 self thus praised beyond what he thought his 

 merit, and he was about to protest and to set 

 matters right, when the Voice from within 

 spoke again. "Admit Sylvester," it said, 

 " and let these who have spoken for him 

 enter with him." 



< At this the great gate flew back and a loud 

 sound of bells broke forth . But j ust as this com- 

 pany of friends was about to pass in, the dream 

 ended and Sylvester for the last time awoke. 



92 He was lying on his little truckle-bed, 

 and sitting beside him he saw his pupils, 

 Ivan and Nicholas. 



59 S8"Is 



