CHAPTER IX 



THE LAKE IN THE VALLEY 



TT was a small lake in a small 

 * valley. When I first saw it, the 

 whole of the still surface was tinted 

 red from the sunset's glow. It was 

 one of those still, silent evenings of 

 spring, when Nature seems to rest for 

 awhile during her great and wonderful 

 awakening. All around there was a 

 chorus of song. It was difficult to 

 pick out one distinct song, for Thrushes, 

 Blackbirds, Skylarks, Sedge- Warblers and 

 Reed- Warblers seemed determined to out- 

 do each other in giving out the loudest 

 music. But one by one the birds which 

 sang such rich notes to the setting 

 sun ceased, and when the Cuckoo was 



