MINSTREL WEATHER 

 I. FACES OF JANUS 



CHAPTER 



1 HOUGH January has days 

 that dress in saffron for their 

 going, and noons of yellow 

 light, foretelling crocuses, the 

 month is yet not altogether 

 friendly. The year is moving now to- 

 ward its most unpitying season. Nights 

 that came on kindly may turn the meadows 

 to iron, tear off the last faithful leaves 

 from oaks, drive thick clouds across the 

 moon, to end in a violent dawn. January 

 holds gentle weather in one hand and bliz- 

 zards in the other, and what a blizzard can 

 be only dwellers on prairies or among the 

 mountains know. Snow gone mad, its 

 2 [i] 



