SPRING 



within three paces, then disappeared in 

 his hole with a chattering squeak, to 

 reappear almost instantly on the oppo- 

 site side. A little way beyond a yellow 

 warbler perched in the branches above 

 startled him with a vigorous song. 

 This was at the full tide of the mating 

 season of the birds, the season of pro- 

 mise of love, hope and home-making. 

 The Neighbour sat down beside the 

 solitary chestnut which stands near the 

 path, to watch and learn the many 

 secrets of the woods. A saucy red 

 squirrel discovered his presence and 

 then and there began a dissertation on 

 the virtues of mankind in general and 

 this one specimen in particular. As 

 he grew louder in his protests he be- 

 came bolder and approached by little 

 runs, with hind parts flat and raised 

 on his forepaws. His eyes sparkled 

 with mischievous fun, his tail quirking 

 and jerking in accompaniment to his 

 spasmodic utterances. He scolded and 

 chattered and scoffed, then suddenly 

 turned with a squeal of alarm and ran 

 up the tree, where he remained to scold 

 from safer distance. 

 25 



