Sometimes Flora met
her at the foot of the steps, sometimes at the bottom of the garden; and
once, after a long search, she was discovered hanging from the bough of
a tree, with arms extended as if pleading for help. Flora could not
reach her, and she was brought down from her perilous position by
Charley and a ladder.
"I don't blame her for trying to hang herself," said Charley, who saw
the housemaid when she threw her out of an upper window, "and I hope she
will have better luck next time."
"Didn't hang herself," replied Flora.
"Wanted to fly."
"Like a bird."
"She did."
"Thought she was a blackbird, may be."
"Yes," said Flora, clapping her hands and laughing, "thought she was."
"She was flying away from the musk."
"No!"
"I believe she was," said Charley, solemnly, "and if you take your eyes
off I am afraid you will lose her. You must watch her closely."
"I will."
Flora held the baby tightly in her arms, to prevent her soaring out of
sight.
"Can't fly now, Charley Waters."
"No, but you must hold on."
Flora held on tighter than ever.
"And I would not let her go into the house any more," continued Charley.
"It does not agree with her. She cannot stay in the house."
"Keep her in the garden."
"I would."
"In the arbor?"
"Yes," said Charley, after pausing to weigh the matter, "I would keep
her in the arbor."
So Dinah was forced to give up her old quarters in the house for a new
home in the arbor, and Flora informed her why the change was made.
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