1 1 6 About the Feathered Folk. 



under a bridge, and magnificent 

 chestnut trees threw cool shadows 

 over nodding foxgloves and green 

 nests of ferns. There he sat, alone, 

 for Laura and the rest had followed 

 a path too rough for him ; but if 

 alone, he certainly was not lonely. 



His face was radiant when I 

 caught sight of it. 



I halted by him, taking my seat 

 on a tree-root. Something of his 

 great pleasure was coming into my 

 own heart. 



It is good in these days of uni- 

 versal questionings about all things 

 beneath and above the sun, to enter 

 sometimes into the peace and silence 

 that remains under the forest trees, 

 amongst the wayside flowers. 



Presently there was a sound of 

 rushing wings, and a large bird 

 lighted on a bough just across the 

 stream, full in our view. It was a 

 Wood-pigeon. 



Never shall I forget the lad's joy 



