6 STORIES OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 



weather and decay. She put her ear to a little 

 crack and listened. 



" Yes, I am here," said the Voice ; " I was 

 here before. Why is it that when you House 

 People look for a clue, you search the corners 

 of the earth for what is close at home ? We 

 Wood Folk know that as a trail ends in cover it 

 cannot begin in the open." 



"Really, really I don't know," said Tornmy- 

 Anne, in confusion. " I never heard a tree talk 

 before, and I was looking for a person, you see." 



" I am not a tree," said the Voice, " though I 

 seem to be living in one now." 



" Oh, I am so glad," she cried. " Because if 

 you are clever enough to get into a tree, perhaps 

 you can tell me some whys. 



" I should be very glad to help you to get out. 

 Please, how shall I begin ? Shall I scoop a hole 

 in the tree with my knife ? It's a rather slow 

 knife, though." 



The Voice did not answer for several minutes, 

 and then it sounded directly in her ear. 



"What are the things you want to know, 

 Tommy- Anne ? " it said. 



" All. the whys and whats and becauses, the rea- 

 sons for things," she answered eagerly. " But how 

 did you know my name when I don't know yours ? " 



