The Schoolboy: Saint-Leons 



curiosity leads him, and the favourite scene 

 of his childish rambles. It is really delight- 

 ful to watch him taking possession of these 

 unknown territories and making the first in- 

 ventory of the wealth that he will explore 

 later on. 



On that day, wealthy and leisured, with an ap- 

 ple for my lunch and all my time to myself, I 

 decided to visit the brown of the neighbouring hill, 

 hitherto looked upon as the boundary of the world. 

 Right at the top is a row of trees which, turning 

 their backs to the wind, bend and toss about as 

 though to uproot themselves and take to flight. 

 How often, from the little window in my home, 

 have I not seen them bowing their heads in stormy 

 weather ; how often have I not watched them writh- 

 ing like madmen amid the snow-dust which the 

 north-wind's besom raises and smooths along the 

 hill-side! What are they doing up there, those 

 desolate trees? I am interested in their supple 

 backs, to-day still and upright against the blue of 

 the sky, to-morrow shaken when the clouds pass 

 overhead. I am gladdened by their calmness; I 

 am distressed by their terrified gestures. They are 

 my friends. I have them before my eyes at every 

 hour of the day. In the morning the sun rises 

 behind their transparent screen and ascends in its 

 glory. Where does it come from? I am going 

 to climb up there; and perhaps I shall find out. 



I mount the slope. It is a lean grass-sward 



53 



