FOREST LEAVES 109 



dark head a little closer to the maples, whis- 

 pering, ^^ Sleep sweetly through the winter, and 

 when the spring awakes you and hangs your 

 boughs with coral, think of me!" 



*^But you will talk to us, will you not, when 

 the spring returns?" asked the maples, who 

 had learned to love Picea and no more made 

 fun of her old green dress. 



But Picea answered, *^ Listen!" 



"I hear only the wind and the river," re- 

 plied .a maple tree. 



** Listen!" repeated the spruce; and as the 

 maples were quiet, listening, one by one they 

 fell asleep. 



But Picea was awake, listening to the call 

 of the river. 



At last one night, while the old spruce was 

 dreaming, Picea answered that far call from 

 the valley. 



*^Whom are you calling?" she asked. 



And the river answered, **You!" 



