THE BUSH HUT 35 



from the scene there were already signs of change. 

 The tide of rural peace began to ebb long ago. Now 

 there are cottages among the gum trees on the hills; 

 the creek flows under a new bridge, larger but less 

 picturesque than the old log structure; "Walden Hut" 

 is overgrown by ivy, and the windows are dim with 

 dust and cobweb. The old place is forlorn. It may 

 be fancy that the creek has forgotten its song and the 

 birds their sweetest notes; but clearings on the hill 

 slopes, chimneys among the gums, and the new road 

 from the station, are real. 



