Bannerlail 



"Qua, qiia,qiia,quaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! " 

 from a high perch. Ringing across the 

 woodland it went, and the Woodwales 

 drummed on hardwood drums, in keen 

 responsiveness, to the same fair, vernal 

 influence of the time. 



Though he seemed only to sing for 

 singing's sake, he was conscious lately of 

 a growing loneliness, a hankering for com- 

 pany that had never possessed him all 

 winter; indeed, he had resented it when 

 any hint of visitors had reached him, but 

 now he was restless and desireful, as well 

 as bursting with the wish to sing. 



"Qua, qua, qua, quaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" 

 he sang again and again, and on the still, 

 bright air were echoes from the hills. 



"Qua, qua, quaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ! " He 

 poured it out again, and the echo came, 

 " Qua, quaaaaa ! " Then another call, and 

 the echo, " Quaaa ! " 



Was it an echo? 



[74] 



