STERN, UNBENDING SPRUCES 29 



had set its heart. Straight up was the aim 

 of every one, and straight up it went ; stern, 

 unbending, self-willed, like some of our own 

 race, with branches at right angles on every 

 side, let neighbors less strong of purpose fare 

 as they could. 



The beauties and idiosyncrasies of these 

 woods might be enjoyed at leisure, for they 

 possessed one great advantage over any other 

 I have found east of the Rocky Mountains. 

 Through all this month of July which I 

 spent among them, not a fly showed his im- 

 pertinent head, and mosquitoes appeared but 

 rarely. When any of the latter did make 

 themselves obvious, they presented their lit- 

 tle bills in the most modest manner. They 

 asked so very, very little, and asked it so 

 gently, no one could refuse or resent it. It 

 was darkly whispered by those who in the 

 past had outstayed July, that the whole sea- 

 son was not so blessed; that insect hordes 

 were simply biding their time, and later they 

 would come out in force. But later one need 

 not be here. 



Warblers, however bewitching, and I 

 admit their claims, and woods, however 



