Shrill, tremulous, and wonder- 

 fully sustained, the cry of the 

 awakened Toad proclaims to 

 the listening night the great re- 

 newal of life. It seems a tireless 

 cry, but the eager ear continues 

 longing after the delayed lapse 

 into silence. Another voice is 

 raised in answering tremolo, and 

 another and another join from 

 varied distances until the whole 

 night seems vibrant with the 

 voice of spring. The shrunken 

 and belated moon looks slowly over the city-covered 

 ridge and lights up the weedy pond. Diminutive 

 ripples and irregular disturbances can be dimly 

 discerned where the heralds of the new inspiration 

 raise their heads above the glistening surface. The 

 joy of new life after the long sleep of winter in the 

 concealing, muddy bottom finds satisfying expression 

 in these insistently mingled and musical voices. 



" Ugly and venomous. 

 Wears yet a precious jewel in his head/' 



45 



