THE RED SQUIRREL 



maple's sweetness, should become so 

 grossly carnivorous and savagely blood- 

 thirsty. But anon he will cajole you 

 with pretty ways into forgetfulness and 

 forgiveness of his crimes. You find 

 yourself offering, in extenuation of his 

 sins, confession of your own offenses. 

 Have not you, too, wrought havoc among 

 harmless broods and brought sorrow to 

 feathered mothers and woodland homes ^ 

 Is he worse than you, or are you better 

 than he ? Against his sins you set his 

 beauty and tricksy manners, and for them 

 would not banish him out of the world 

 nor miss the incomparable touch of wild 

 Zife that his presence gives it. 

 i8i 



