330 AFTERMATH 



the myriad sounds from throat and wing and limb 

 often being the essential difference between a late 

 Autumn and an early Spring day. 



Along the Hemlock road the banks were green 

 with Christmas Ferns, and red Partridge Berries 

 revealed great mats of the inconspicuous little vines 

 that were somewhat overlooked in the flowering 

 season, just as the brilliant oval berries of Spice 

 Bush are far better known than its early blossoms. 



Now, for a space, the ground on each side of 

 the road was low, and then sloped up to drier 

 woods. 



"Look at the Willows," cried Flower Hat, al- 

 most falling out of the chaise as she pointed. 

 "The soft weather has coaxed them to bud, or 

 else they misunderstood those delusive meadow 

 larks. You sillies ! In a few days, or perhaps 

 to-night, you will be nipped in the bud and learn 

 by bitter experience, like the rest of us, that, no 

 matter how it seems, it is not safe in New England 

 to be without your flannels between October and 

 May." 



"Not Willows; guess again," I said, guiding Nell 

 into the road; for, as usual, she had walked up to 

 the nearest fence to be tied the moment Flower 

 Hat sprang to her feet. 



