Page 17 - Fairbrass

1 Yes, clear/ replied the mother rather

doubtfully; ‘ but I think they would be

happier, and I am sure I should be, if you
would go and read them a fairy-tale.'

And ever obedient to her well-loved
wishes, he, kissing her, left the room. The

patter and the loud voice were heard no

more, the worn-out mother slept, and, with
his baby eyes wide open, Fairbrass had

plenty of time for silent conjecture.
Who would tell him why it was that

with all their pleasant surroundings his

father and mother were so sad ?
Then a strange thinghappened. Through

the latticed window that faced the bed in which
he lay came soft voices that in silvery tones

whispered to him. Whose could they be?

Surely not—yes— there was no doubt about
it : the two slim twin-sister poplar trees that

grew close to the house and swayed and
bent and rustled in the autumn breeze, were

talking to him, and he heard and understood
their unknown speech.

Their roots had been in the soil there,