58 FOREST FANCIES 



with stamens, greenish-yellow, with tips of 

 red ; others were crimson with pistils. 



*' 'Tis airy attire," remarked the pussy wil- 

 low, *^for so early in the year.'' 



**0h, but I am a bit of the springtime 1" 

 How fair she looked through her veil of flow- 

 ers. **We don't want winter fashions now, 

 with comfy furs." 



'*So, so!" suddenly sang the snow, and be- 

 fore she knew it, she was muffled in white from 

 top to root. 



** Cheer up!" called the red maple gaily, 

 flaming into crimson and coral flowers. **My 

 heart is on fire with spring ! Let us be glad, 

 glad, glad!" 



**Are we not glad!" And the elm, flushing 

 with joy, burst into a million little bells with 

 ruby clappers. A beautiful tune drifted 

 down, like the sunrise anthem of the year. The 

 laggard trees heard it, and began to stir. 



But the white poplar was already awake. 



**For real comfort on a cool spring day," 

 he said pompously, **look at me." 



For while his mate was uncurling her green 



