My First Summer 



shaped hollow formed by converging hill- 

 slopes at a bend of the river. Here racks 

 for dishes and provisions were made in the 

 shade of the river-bank trees, and beds of 

 fern fronds, cedar plumes, and various flowers, 

 each to the taste of its owner, and a corral 

 back on the open flat for the wool. 



June 9. How deep our sleep last night 

 in the mountain's heart, beneath the trees 

 and stars, hushed by solemn-sounding water- 

 falls and many small soothing voices in 

 sweet accord whispering peace! And our 

 first pure mountain day, warm, calm, cloud- 

 less, how immeasurable it seems, how 

 serenely wild ! I can scarcely remember its 

 beginning. Along the river, over the hills, 

 in the ground, in the sky, spring work is 

 going on with joyful enthusiasm, new life, 

 new beauty, unfolding, unrolling in glori- 

 ous exuberant extravagance, new birds in 

 their nests, new winged creatures in the 

 air, and new leaves, new flowers, spreading, 

 shining, rejoicing everywhere. 

 t-42] 



