56 THE GOLDHAMMER 



hardly reached the foot of the tree when the shy wild 

 bird took wing, but we managed to perceive between 

 the leaves its slender, well built body and its black 

 and yellow wings, which were fluttering as it took its 

 flight towards the wood. 



We had remained some time near the cherry-tree, 

 stretching our necks, hand in hand, raising our eyes to 

 the bowers above us where the ripe fruit was shining 

 between the leaves. They were red and white heart-cher- 

 ries with fleshy pulp and inviting colour. A ladder just 

 happened to be standing against the tree. 



« Let us go and take the place of the goldhammer ». 

 she suggested, letting go my hand. 



Pulling her skirts together, she lightly ascended the 

 steps of the ladder, and from the foot of the tree 1 could 

 distinguish in the shade her small feet half hidden under 

 her striped pink dress. Half- way up the ladder, she 

 turned around and said with an arch smile : 



« Well ! are you not coming ? » 



Of course I wished to come, but 1 should never have 

 dared to do so without being invited. I followed her 

 however blushing , and we both soon found ourselves in 

 the heart of the tree. 



The position was very pleasant, although not very 

 comfortable; at the slightest movement we made, her 

 arm and her hair would touch my cheek, but she was 

 laughing, while I was looking very much constrained 



