CHAPTER XX. 



A MEMORY OF SUMMER. 



IN the pine woods, or floating under overhanging 

 branches on the silent and almost motionless river, I 

 have had visions of my study fire during the sum 

 mer months, and, now that I find myself once 

 more within the cheerful circle of its glow, the 

 time that has passed since it was lighted for the 

 last time in the spring seems like a long, delightful 

 dream. I recall those charming days, some of 

 them full of silence and repose from dawn to sun 

 set, some of them ripe with effort and adventure, 

 with a keen delight in the feeling of possession 

 which comes with them ; they were brief, they 

 have gone, but they are mine forever. The beauty 

 and freshness that touched them morning after 

 morning as the dew touches the flower are hence 

 forth a part of my life ; they have entered into my 

 soul as their light and heat entered into the ripen 

 ing fruits and grains. I have come back to my 

 friendly fire richer and wiser for my absence from 

 its cheer and warmth ; my life has been renewed 

 at those ancient sources whence all our knowledge 

 has come ; I have felt again the solitude and 

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