Gn Cecount with Mature 
The two chipmunks in the wall were now seven, 
the young ones quite as large as their parents, and 
both young and old on the best of terms with me. 
I had put a little stick beside each of the three 
big berries that were reddening first (though I could 
have walked from the house blindfolded and picked 
them). I might have had the biggest of the three on 
June 7th, but for the sake of the flavor I thought it 
best to wait another day. On the 8th I went down 
with a box to get it. The big berry was gone, and so 
was one of the others, while only half of the third 
was left on the vine! 
Gardening has its disappointments, its seasons of 
despair, — and wrath, too. Had a toad showed him- 
self at that moment he would have fared badly. I 
snatched a stone and let it go at a robin flying over, 
for more than likely it was he who had stolen my 
berries. On the garden wall sat a friendly chipmunk 
eyeing me sympathetically. 
Three days later several fine berries were ripe. On 
my way to the garden I passed the chipmunks in the 
orchard. A shining red spot among the vine-covered 
stones of their wall brought me to a stop, for I 
thought, on the instant, that it was my rose-breasted 
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