BIRDS IN A VILLAGE 49 



we do not know it. Nature, the chosen mistress 

 of our heart, does not change towards us, yet she 

 is now, even to-day — 



"Less full of purple colour and hid spice," 



and smiles and sparkles in vain to allure us, and 

 when she touches us with her warm, caressing 

 touch, there is, compared with yesterday, only a 

 faint response. 



