"What did he say about me ? Slighting things, 

 I have no doubt ; deriding me, perhaps, because 

 I could not climb trees and bite off pine-buds. 

 I don't know. But I do know this, that, what- 

 ever he said, I enjoyed having him near me, for 

 I am sure that he half enjoyed my being near 

 him. And I like the pines better for his sake. 

 They would often be dull and silent if he were 

 gone, for the pines are not companionable trees. 

 He is their spirit of lightness, gaiety, and chatter. 



[249] 



