FOREST LEAVES 97 



were other trees, whose odd fashions she did 

 not understand. 



**They are maples/' answered the black 

 spruce. 



Every autumn, as the changing seasons came 

 and went, the maple leaves flushed and fell to 

 the ground ; but in the spring the buds on the 

 bare branches would redden and part like smil- 

 ing lips, until all the maples were laughing 

 with bright flowers. After spring flowers came 

 summer green, when the little spruce tree 

 would glance ruefully at her old dress, worn 

 so many seasons. 



^^I should think," said a dainty maple, 

 *Hhat you would spruce up when spring 

 comes.'' 



So she trimmed the old gown with new frills 

 of green, though these made it dingy by con- 

 trast. 



**Do not forget," the old spruce consoled 

 her, as the little tree gazed wistfully at the 

 bright new dresses of the maples, ''do not for- 

 get that all through snowtime you helped to 

 keep the forest green." 



