The children watched her curiously as she took the other half from her
notebook, and laid the two bits of yellow faded paper side by side. They
made a sheet of the usual size of old-fashioned letter paper. The writing
was the same on both, and as the lines were joined, their meaning became
plain. Mr. Birkenfeld read the verses aloud:
"Lay your hand in mine dear,
Joined thus we need not fear,
Each the other clasping fast,
That our union should not last,
But behold, the fates decree
That our future severed be.
We will cut our verse in two,
Half for me and half for you.
But we still will hope forever
That the halves may come together,
And with no loss to deplore.
Our friendship be as 'twas before."
The mother had taken Dora's hand in hers. "Where did you get this paper,
Dora?" she asked, much moved.
"It has always been in my mother's album," replied the child with
surprise.
"Then you are my Lili's child!" cried Mrs.
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