"t^t &ai of tS}^ S^CKub 



in the woods. He was expecting me, so he came 

 early, out of modesty, and, that I too might be en- 

 tirely at my ease, he departed early, leaving his greet- 

 ings for me in the snow. 



Thus I was not alone ; here was good company and 

 plenty of it. I never lack a companion in the woods 

 when I can pick up a trail. The 'possum and I ate 

 together. And this was just the fellowship I needed, 

 this sharing the persimmons with the 'possum. I had 

 broken bread, not with the 'possum only, but with all 

 the out-of-doors. I was now fit to enter the woods, 

 for I was filled with good-will and persimmons, as 

 full as the 'possum ; and putting myself under his 

 gentle guidance, I got down upon the ground, took 

 up his clumsy trail, and descended toward the swamp. 

 Such an entry is one of the particular joys of the 

 winter. To go in with a fox, a mink, or a 'possum 

 through the door of the woods is to find yourself at 

 home. Any one can get inside the out-of-doors, as the 

 grocery boy or the census man gets inside our houses. 

 You can bolt in at any time on business. A trail, 

 however, is Nature's invitation. There may be other, 

 better beaten paths for mere feet. But go softly with 

 the 'possum, and at the threshold you are met by the 



24 



