His little heart swelled and glowed; he longed, as a prisoner, for freedom.

As he stood there he saw that a nail held down the lower sash, which he had so often tried, but in vain, to lift.

Putting his finger on this nail, he felt it move.

It had been placed loosely in a gimlet-hole, and could be drawn out easily.

For a little while he stood there, taking out and putting in the nail.