TlBlben (Brass te Green 



fields, and soon came back, but at no time 

 squeaked such unmistakable disgust as when he 

 attempted to sample the sweets of Beatrice's flow- 

 er-topped hat. The poor fellow did n't know that 

 the sweet flower he was after was just under the 

 hat-brim. 



With a boat-load of blossoms we were soon 

 afloat again, and how valuable engaging conver- 

 sation may be at times. I talked so rapidly about 

 what we had seen that Beatrice did not notice which 

 way the boat was heading until the bow gently 

 touched the wharf, and suggested by the sudden 

 arrest of progress that she look up. If I were 

 not old, I should not care to encounter often such 

 glances as hers at that moment; but then I am 

 old, an4 knew that it was 90 in the shade. 



But the day was not over. We took the shady, 

 hillside path homeward, and gathered blackber- 

 ries as we passed clumps of thrifty briers, laden 

 with fruit. I began to meditate again about In- 

 dians and our wild fruit, when Beatrice gave an- 

 other scream, and I thought I heard the word 

 " snake." This meant rushing to the rescue where 

 there was danger, and I rushed manfully, on the 

 principle that every man 's a sailor when the sun 

 shines at sea. I found Beatrice, but where was 

 the snake ? I asked, and she timidly pointed to 

 the bushes before her. Scanning them closely, 

 I saw a pretty brown weasel looking directly at 

 us, and how bright were its beady, black eyes ! A 

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