64 FOREST FANCIES 



to bloom, had forgotten to pull out the old 

 brown bastings of last year's gown. 



^^How untidy!'' thought Polly, remember- 

 ing. 



However, the boxelder was green with leafy 

 sprays and threadlike flowers, while her com- 

 panion shimmered with silken tassels. 



^^They are beautiful, like floss," cried 

 Polly. 



^'But remind me of lovely cornsilk," said 

 the bee. 



**Hush," breathed Polly, in a-flutter, ^^and 

 listen to the music." 



*' Perhaps it is my buzzing that you hear," 

 modestly returned the bee. 



'*No, no," cried Polly, clapping her hands 

 and nearly sliding from the velvet back, **it 

 is maple-music!" 



For the sugar maple was swinging out, on 

 silken strands, a lot of little bells of sunlit 

 green. 



**I am clothed with Easter chimes," laughed 

 she; ^^hear the zephyr ring my bells!" 



**The very sweetest tree," spoke Polly. 



