The Ash Copse. 203 



. CHAPTER XII. 



THE ASH COPSE THE NIGHTINGALE CLOUD OF STAR- 

 LINGS HEDGEHOGS HERONS' MEAD MOOR- 

 HENS AMONG THE REEDS. 



A GAP in the hedge by Hazel Corner leads through 

 a fringe of hawthorn bushes into the ash copse. 

 There is a gate at a little distance ; but somehow 

 it is alwa^'s more pleasant to follow the b3eway of 

 the gap, where two steps, one down into the ditch, 

 or rather on to the heap of sand thrown out from 

 a rabbit buiy, and one up on the mound, carry you 

 from the meadow — out of cultivation — into the 

 pathless wood. The green sprays momentarily 

 pushed aside close immediately behind, shutting out 

 the vision, and with it the thought of civilization. 

 These boughs are the gates of another world. Un- 

 der trees and leaves — it is so, too, sometimes even 

 in an avenue — where the direct rajs of the sun do 

 not penetrate, there is ever a subdued light ; it is 

 not shadow, but a light toned with green. 



In spring the ground here is hidden by a verdant 

 growth, out of which presently the anemone lifts its 

 chaste flower. Then the wild hj-aciuths hang their 

 blue bells so thickly- that, glancing between the poles, 

 it is hazy with color ; and in the evening, if the level 

 beams of the red sun can reach them, here and there 



