In Winter Quarters 



to what I may do, or not do, or should 

 do, I shall be called to strict account. 

 So what remains? Why just "con- 

 form" of course, insofar as your own 

 limitations will permit, and, if you 

 can, forget the Mallards and the Big 

 Horn standing proudly on his moun- 

 tain crag. Civilization is vastly more 

 interested in those timid old Merino 

 ewes being herded over there in that 

 Government Forest Reserve. I wish 

 I might talk as freely and frankly as 

 Montaigne or Rousseau about some 

 things; but one may not even find 

 pleasure in watching with Thoreau a 

 marsh-hawk's flight without some self- 

 appointed Lowell landing heavily upon 

 his back. 



There are some few concessions at 

 least to be truly thankful for. I do 

 not yet have to buy the right to view 

 the landscape, or take a walk, so long 

 as I keep off the property men say 

 belongs to you. If my licensed dog is 

 with me it will be advisable, however, 



[24] 



