THE BIRD IN THE BOX BY MARY MEARS Author of "The Breath of The Runners" TORONTO WILLIAM BRIGGS _All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign languages including the Scandinavian_ Copyright, 1910, by FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY October, 1910 To THE MEMORY OF MY MOTHER "NELLY WILDWOOD" THIS BOOK IS DEVOTEDLY INSCRIBED AUTHOR'S PREFACE The soul of man at birth is immured in a prison. It is like a bird singing in a cage, heedless of the bars that confine it. But later the soul knows its bondage. Panting with a desire for liberty, man tries in two ways to attain it, through his ability to labour, through his capacity to feel. He has need of freedom, hence the poem, the ship, the engine, the thousand cunning and gigantic structures for annihilating space, for chaining the forces of nature. He has need of freedom, hence the universal outpouring of his affections, the glory and the emancipation of his highest love. June, 1910 CONTENTS BOOK I CHAPTER I The Long Journey and the Longer One II The Waiting of Women III The Sun IV Amid Bleak Surroundings V The Barnacle VI The Figure-head Gains an Admirer VII Concerning Alexander Emil St. Ives VIII In the Cause of Science IX The Old Fascination X In Which a Kiss Is Given and Regretted XI At the Old Burying Point XII The Migratory Instinct BOOK II I The Street of Masts II Emily Short--Toy-Maker III Simon Hart to the Rescue IV The Unexpected Happens V Showing that Sacrifices Are not Always Appreciated VI Despair and Desolation VII Stop--Look--Listen VIII A Woman's Caprice; A Father's Repentance; A Lover's Self-Conquest; A Girl's Pity IX Rachel--Simon X The Bird in the Box BOOK III I The House in Washington Square II Continuation of the History of a Genius III The Confession IV How is it Possible to Stop Loving V Love by the Sea VI The Insistent Past VII In Which John Smith Unburdens His Conscience VIII The Place of the Statues IX The Energy of Being X In the Garden XI Flames XII Love Confronts Despair XIII The Escape BOOK I THE BIRD IN THE BOX CHAPTER I THE LONG JOURNEY AND THE LONGER ONE The new vessel, gay with swelling scarves of bunting, ornamented from stem to stern with floating flags that kissed the breeze, rested easily on the stocks. The ways under her had been greased, the space before her in the river cleared. High on the prow her name _Merida_ shone in gold letters. Every eye was upon her.