THE DISCONTENTED SQUIRREL 73 
sheltered spot among its fruit and shade trees, 
since the tenant, who lived a hermit life in the 
house, was friendly to all wild creatures, and 
allowed neither dogs nor cats nor fiends in shape 
of boys with loud halloo and brutal noise to intrude 
into his sacred grounds. 
But this would not have suited the squirrel; 
the town noises and lights, the shrill cries of children 
at play in the evening, and the drum and fife band 
of the Boy Scouts would have kept him in a con- 
stant state of apprehension. Squirrels are nervy 
creatures. No doubt when the town was asleep 
and silent that night he scaled the back-wall and 
crossed other orchards and gardens until he came 
out to the old unkept hedge on that side, and 
followed it all the way to Holkham Park, a vast 
green solitude with many ancient noble trees, in 
one of which he probably first saw the light. 
And there, at home once more, he perhaps 
resolved, like the Discontented Squirrel of the 
fable, never again to attempt to better himself by 
migrating. 
