The girl wiped her hands , crossed her feet on the little island of carpet where she was stranded in a sea of soap-suds , and then , sure enough , out of her slender throat came the swallow 's twitter , the robin 's whistle , the blue-jay 's call , the thrush 's song , the wood-dove 's coo , and many another familiar note , all ending as before with the musical ecstacy of a bobolink singing and swinging among the meadow grass on a bright June day . Rose was so astonished that she nearly fell off her perch , and when the little concert was over clapped her hands delightedly . `` Oh , it was lovely ! Who taught you ? '' `` The birds , '' answered the girl , with a smile , as she fell to work again . `` It is very wonderful ! I can sing , but nothing half so fine as that . What is your name , please ? '' `` Phebe Moore . '' `` I 've heard of phebe-birds ; but I do n't believe the real ones could do that , '' laughed Rose , adding , as she watched with interest the scattering of dabs of soft soap over the bricks , `` May I stay and see you work ? It is very lonely in the parlor . '' `` Yes , indeed , if you want to , '' answered Phebe , wringing out her cloth in a capable sort of way that impressed Rose very much . `` It must be fun to swash the water round and dig out the soap . I 'd love to do it , only aunt would n't like it , I suppose , '' said Rose , quite taken with the new employment . `` You 'd soon get tired , so you 'd better keep tidy and look on . '' `` I suppose you help your mother a good deal ? '' `` I have n't got any folks . '' `` Why , where do you live , then ? '' `` I 'm going to live here , I hope . Debby wants some one to help round , and I 've come to try for a week . ''
`` I hope you will stay , for it is very dull , '' said XXXXX , who had taken a sudden fancy to this girl , who sung like a bird and worked like a woman .
Debby Moore Phebe Rose blue-jay bobolink dabs soap-suds week wood-dove