“Ah, little bird, you talk just like the fairy!—She speaks to me about the inward sunshine; but, dear little bird, I want to know when the outward sunshine will come?” The bird was silent. Presently it hopped out of its cage—perched upon her finger—kissed her on the lips—and passed its little bill up and down her cheek, in such a fondling way, that she felt tears of love and tenderness in her eyes. She caressed the little bird, and thought no more of the rain; and she made up her mind, that happen what might, rain or sunshine, disappointment or not, she would leave off her murmuring. So, with a calm bright countenance, she went about all her duties; and little Johnny, touched by her kindness, and amused by her playfulness, grew quite content to have the promised visit to auntie’s put off for a little while. The whole week continued showery. Some days there were several hours of sunshine, which seemed to give promise of brighter weather; then came an hour of rain, which drenched the gardens and the roads, and made play out-of-doors impossible. But now, it had no effect on the temper of little Mary. She would have liked fine weather better than wet, a great deal better indeed; but she was gradually learning to bear disappointment; the inward sunshine was brightening in her heart. One day, when there had been a good many intervals of sunshine, and the showers had passed over quickly, she was playing with little Johnny in the parlour, when she suddenly heard her bird singing loudly, and calling to her with his “swe-et! swe-et!” “Ah! my pretty one! I am coming! Darling has got something to say to me!” She hurried up to her room, and the bird sang:— “See where hope and beauty glow, Dancing down the bending bow.”