MY WOODLAND INTIMATES 



toward my desk. After a comparatively long halt 

 at the first of the reconnoitring points, she pro- 

 ceeded toward my open grate. In it, awaiting 

 the first cool day to be lighted, was a generous 

 supply of cones and other forest gleanings. Ma- 

 dame Jolie-Queue appeared to feel much at home 

 among such surroundings, but her curiosity soon 

 took her up the chimney. During this stage of 

 the journey she was of course hidden from view; 

 nevertheless, it was easy for me to follow her 

 progress, as various sooty sneezes and sniffs gave 

 reliable clues to her whereabouts. When, at the 

 close of the return journey, which she evidently 

 made head downward, the little rat-like nose ap- 

 peared, it was as black as ink and most disreputa- 

 ble looking. 



The chimney investigation over, Madame 

 Jolie-Queue started off toward the adjoining 

 apartment, where she speedily discovered a bag of 

 walnuts and several other precious bird and squir- 

 rel stores. Here was good fortune indeed, and 

 she immediately proceeded to turn it to advan- 

 tage. Taking one of the hickory nuts in her 

 mouth, she rushed through my room and out the 

 window, and then made her way toward the 

 grove, where I knew she had gone to deposit her 



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