THE MERRY GREENWOOD 129 



by the Lakes — but we are breaking down our 

 'walls of trees.' " 



*'Come hither, and answer the question, 

 *Doesitpay?''' 



She led him down to the river, jBowing 

 brown between bare banks. Something was 

 moving on the surface, white like a waterlily. 

 Josiah sprang forward: 



*'Piek her up tenderly, 

 Handle with care '' 



*'I'm not glass," said the water-nymph, lift- 

 ing her face above the flood. 



* * Pardon me, ' ' said he. * * Can I be of any as- 

 sistance ? Will you join us here, and dry your 

 wet garments in the moonlight?" 



**This is my home," replied the water- 

 nymph. 



**A damp place," commented Josiah; **a 

 trifle muddy, too." 



**You know why it is so," she complained; 

 *' where you have taken the trees from the hills, 

 the soil washes down into the streams." 



*' Madam, I will immediately get Congress 



