A SYLVAN EASTER 57 



bud of red-brown scales, and soon was snug in 

 silvery fur. 



**You look very nice," commented the white 

 birch, * though I fear you were in too much of 

 a hurry ; your furs are changing color, and will 

 be a bit shabby by Easter.'' 



For yellow stamens were pricking out 

 through the down like so many bright pins, 

 and when the bees had carried their gold-dust 

 to the green pistils of the willow across the 

 brook, the silky fur looked decidedly moth- 

 eaten. 



**Ah, well," sighed the pussy willow, ^^I 

 have started things, anyway." 



His neighbor, the alder, flung out her long 

 jeweled tassels of russet and old-gold. 



*^I shall save my flowers for the golden 

 days," said the tulip-tree. 



*^Not I," replied the alder, tipping her 

 branches with tiny cones ; and she fluttered her 

 flag over the brook, scattering her jewels to 

 the wind. 



Meanwhile, the silver maple eagerly opened 

 her garnet buds. Some branches she feathered 



