THE DISCONTENTED SQUIRREL 73 



sheltered spot among its fruit and shade trees, 

 since the tenant, who lived a hermit life in the 

 house, was friendly to all wild creatures, and 

 allowed neither dogs nor cats nor fiends in shape 

 of boys with loud halloo and brutal noise to intrude 

 into his sacred grounds. 



But this would not have suited the squirrel ; 

 the town noises and lights, the shrill cries of children 

 at play in the evening, and the drum and fife band 

 of the Boy Scouts would have kept him in a con- 

 stant state of apprehension. Squirrels are nervy 

 creatures. No doubt when the town was asleep 

 and silent that night he scaled the back-wall and 

 crossed other orchards and gardens until he came 

 out to the old unkept hedge on that side, and 

 followed it all the way to Holkham Park, a vast 

 green solitude with many ancient noble trees, in 

 one of which he probably first saw the light. 



And there, at home once more, he perhaps 

 resolved, like the Discontented Squirrel of the 

 fable, never again to attempt to better himself by 

 migrating. 



