dy who had made
Mildred's dress, and who had been invited to come out to the country
and spend Easter, had not appeared; and had written that she could not
come until the evening, if she could get off at all. So Molly was
puzzled and a little disappointed. She had waited all day and no one
had come. She must have misunderstood or else they had told her a lie.
Now Mildred was sitting by her.

"Mildred," she said. Mildred leaned over her.

"Well, what is it?"

"Do you think my mother will know me when I get to Heaven? I was so
little when she went away."

Mildred told her that a mother would know her child always. "Just so."
This seemed to satisfy her.

A mocking-bird on a lilac bush began to sing. It sang until the air
seemed to be filled with music.

"Molly," said Mildred, "I wonder if that is not your mocking-bird?"
Molly's eyes turned slowly in that direction.

"I think maybe he went to Heaven that day, to my mother," she said,
softly.

"And told your mother that you set him free?"

Suddenly Molly spoke, slowly and softly.

"Mildred, I am very happy," she said. "If I had all the money in the
world, do you know what I would do with it?"

"No. What?" Mildred took her hand and leaned over her. She did not
answer immediately. She was looking at the far away horizon beyond the
blue hills, where the softly fading light was turning the sunset sky
into a land of purple and gold. Presently she said:--

"I would buy up all the birds in the world that are in cages--every
one--and set them free." Mildred looked at her in vague wonder.

"Mildred, what is Easter?" she asked suddenly. Mildred was astonished.
The idea of any one not knowing what Easter was!

"Why Easter was the time when----" She paused to find just the word
she wanted, and as it did not come to her mind she began to think what
Easter really was. It was harder to explain than she had thought. Of
course, she knew; but she just could not remember exactly all about it.
Oh! Yes----

"Why Easter is the time when you have nice things--a new dress and
don't have to give up butter or candy, or any thing you want to
eat--don't you know?"

This was beyond Molly's experience. She did not know. Mildred was not
satisfied with her explanation. She added to it. "Why, it's the day
Christ rose from the dead--Don't you know?"

"Is that a fairy tale?" asked Molly.

"No, of course not; it's the truth." Mildred looked much shocked.
Molly l