The Keeper of the Spring-House 51 



to remember about an old friend, all the same. 

 He doesn't pretend to know what such a bird may 

 stand for in your life, and he couldn't make you 

 understand all it stands for in his. But it's not 

 the Robin or the Blue-bird that is the first to 

 announce to him that Winter has finally capitu- 

 lated, and is in full retreat ; this news comes from 

 the exultant rattle of the Kingfisher, causing the 

 child's heart within the man, to start and trem- 

 ble, and the welcome he extends is always quite 

 voiceless, for it is only his heart that says, "Hello, 

 'Jinny Pipe'; Hello, 'Gooey Bill.'" And when 

 the summer is over and gone, and October's last 

 picture has faded and the tubes are twisted and 

 dried, his heart in voiceless farewell always says, 

 "Good-bye, 'Jinny Pipe'; Good-bye, 'Gooey 

 Bill,' " and the talk about the "Keeper of the 

 Spring-house" at such a moment seems as a tale 

 that is told. 



