Chapter XIII

"I Am Colin"

Mary took the picture back to the house when
she went to her supper and she showed it to
Martha.

"Eh!" said Martha with great pride. "I
never knew our Dickon was as clever as that.
That there's a picture of a missel thrush on her
nest, as large as life an' twice as natural."

Then Mary knew Dickon had meant the picture
to be a message. He had meant that she
might be sure he would keep her secret. Her
garden was her nest and she was like a missel
thrush. Oh, how she did like that queer, common
boy!

She hoped he would come back the very next
day and she fell asleep looking forward to the
morning.

But you never know what the weather will do
in Yorkshire, particularly in the springtime. She
was awakened in the night by the sound of rain
beating with heavy drops against her window. It

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v?