MY FRIENDS, THE TREES 



a while he got a piece of a rail and placed it against 

 the trunk. Then with clutching fingers and spread- 

 ing toes he worked his way up to the lowest branch. 

 Through the higher branches he clambered as if 

 going up a ladder, and finally when he found one to 

 his liking he bestrode it, with his back to the trunk, 

 and looked away to the south. For a long time, 

 with childish gravity, he gave himself up to the 

 "long, long thoughts" of a boy. At last his eyes 

 began to rove around and presently they rested on 

 me, where I was watching him. He laughed in a 

 shame-faced way as if he had been surprised in doing 

 something that he would have kept secret, but I 

 laughed back joyously and we understood. I am 

 glad that there is another of my name who will love 

 the old oak and the other trees and to whom they 

 will perhaps give their friendship even more fully 

 than they have given it to me. 



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