MY WOODLAND INTIMATES 



The friendship began when Mr. Rufus, terri- 

 fied by the advent of a snowy owl in the grove, 

 appeared at one of my windows. Protection and 

 provisions insured for me his lasting regard; for 

 although the owl fright was a matter of a few 

 days merely Mr. Rufus has been my constant 

 visitor for more than two years. During the ear- 

 lier period of his coming, a gentle little wife ac- 

 companied him occasionally, attracted also by the 

 supply of good things spread out on the window- 

 sills ; but her husband treated her so unkindly and 

 repulsed her so frequently that her visits finally 

 ceased. 



Not long after her disappearance the autocratic 

 Rufus conducted to one of my restaurants a dash- 

 ing, independent-looking squirrel lady, who is evi- 

 dently Mrs. Rufus Number Two; that is to say, 

 the second wife he has had since I made his ac- 

 quaintance. For aught I know to the contrary 

 he may have the record of a Blue Beard. 



I often speculate with regard to the fate of 

 Number One. Did Rufus basely desert her? 

 Did he become an orthodox, out-and-out widow- 

 er, or did the gentle little creature, weary- 

 ing of his tyrannical ways, leave him for some 

 loving, chivalrous mate? With regard to all 



[72] 



