> the Rabbit Contractor 157 



care. Hawthorn branches on each side pushed 

 forward and lessened the opening ; on the ground, 

 where the gateposts had rotted nearly off, fungi came 

 up in thick bunches. 



The little meadows to which they led were rich in 

 oaks, growing on the f shore ' of the ditches, tree after 

 tree. The grass in them was not plentiful, but the 

 flowers were many ; in the spring the orchis sent up 

 its beautiful purple, and in the heat of summer the 

 bird's-foot lotus flourished in the sunny places. 

 Farther up, nearer the wood, the lane became 

 hollow worn down between high banks, at first 

 clothed with fern, and then, as the hill got steeper, 

 with fir trees. 



Where firs are tall and thick together the sun- 

 beams that fall aslant between them seem to be made 

 more visible than under other trees, by the motes or 

 wood dust in the air. Still farther the banks became 

 even steeper, till nothing but scanty ash stoles could 

 grow upon them, the fir plantations skirting along the 

 summit. Then suddenly, at a turn, the ground sank 

 into a deep hollow, where in spring the eye rested 

 with relief and pleasure on the tops of young firs, acre 

 after acre, just freshly tinted with the most delicate 

 green. From thence the track went into the wood. 



By day all through the summer months there was 



