ASPETUCK 81 



" Why do they need names ? Some are large, and 

 some small ; but they are very much alike, except 

 the Maidenhair, and that has a name already." 



"There it is again ; you are like all the rest," 

 sighed a tall, handsome Brake, bending over 

 Tommy-Anne's shoulder. " We are as unlike 

 each other as any two flowers in your garden ; 

 and though we have no showy blossoms, we 

 hold the little seed lunch baskets on the backs 

 of our leaves, or on stalks by themselves. We 

 carpet the forest, and, with our cousins, the 

 mosses, cover the rocks ; but even the Red 

 Brothers neglected to name us, and we have 

 lost hope." 



"I will tell Obi about you, that may do 

 some good," said Tommy- Anne ; " for he is go- 

 ing to be a wise man and learn everything about 

 wild things, and perhaps some day he will think 

 of some easy names for you. I wonder if he has 

 found the Duck's nest yet," said Tommy-Anne, 

 turning to Aspetuck. 



" Yes, he has found it ; but it is two miles 

 above here, and it is on the other side of the 

 river. He has crossed the stepping-stones, and 

 is half-way back already." 



" Do you know about everything that happens 

 along your banks?" 



