Final answer:
Elly is likely referring to a bird when she says "hime," based on the context of the narratives where birds are recurrently mentioned, and a pet bird's cage is indicated. The correct multiple-choice option is (d).
Step-by-step explanation:
From the provided references, it seems that Elly is referring to a bird when she says "hime." This inference is supported by the recurring theme of birds in the excerpts. For instance, the discussion between Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters about a bird and a cage, as well as Sylvia's interaction with birds, illustrate the significance of birds within these narratives. Furthermore, the broken cage mentioned implies a bird that was kept as a pet. Therefore, the correct answer is D) A bird.