LIFE AND LOVE RETURN 257 



for a lover to converse with his sweetheart under cover of a 

 blanket which screens the lovers from the gaze of the other 

 occupants of the lodge. Early in the evening the blanket 

 always hung in a dignified way, as though draped over a 

 couple of posts set a few feet apart. Later, however, the posts 

 frequently lost their balance and swayed about in such a way 

 as to come dangerously near coUiding. Then, if the old grand- 

 mother did not speak or make a stir, the blanket would some- 

 times show that one support had given away. Accordingly, 

 the old woman was able to judge by the general contour of the 

 blanket just how the courtship was progressing, and being a 

 foxy old dame she occasionally pretended to snore just to see 

 what might happen. 



One night, however, Granny's snoring was no longer pre- 

 tense, and when she woke up from her nap, she found 

 that both supports of the blanket were in immediate danger of 

 collapsing. Seizing the stick with which she used to poke the 

 fire, she leaped up and belaboured the blanket so severely that 

 it lost no time in recovering its proper form. 



Kissa Pesim (The Old Moon) — February, and Mikesewe Pesim 

 (The Eagle Moon) — March, had flown and now Niske Pesim, 

 (The Goose Moon) — ^April, had arrived; and with it had come 

 the advance guard of a few of those numerous legions of migra- 

 tory birds and fowls that are merely winter visitors to the 

 United States, Mexico, and South America; while Canada is 

 their real home — the place where they were born. Next 

 would follow Ayeke Pesim (the Frog Moon) of May, when 

 love would be in full play; then a httle later would come Wawe 

 Pesim (The Egg Moon) otherwise June, when the lovers would 

 be living together — or nesting. 



Yes, truly, the long-tarrying but wonderous Goose Moon 

 had at last arrived, and at last, too, the spring hunt was on. 

 It was now a joyous season accompanied with charming music 

 rendered by the feathered creatures. Overhead the geese 



