FLUFF-BUTTON THE RABBIT 123 
storm had' blown by, Fluff-Button had already 
left Garry's Hill for the woods ; and a neat trail 
two little tentative punches of the forefeet over- 
passed by the bolder impression of the hind 
indicated which path he had taken. Cuni followed 
him across the field. The snow was not more than 
two inches deep and the longest grass blades peered 
through it. 
Knockdane Woods are surrounded by a mason- 
built stone wall six feet high ; but in one spot the 
ivy, insinuating itself between the stones, has 
loosened them, and the smaller Fur Folk the 
rabbits, rats, and stoats have scratched a tunnel 
leading into the woods. Through this passage 
Cuni hopped, and passed from the bleakness of the 
white fields into an enchanted palace. Every twig 
and bough bore its burden of whiteness. The 
fir trees were converted into huge Christmas trees, 
and the beeches' branches were etched against a sky 
suffused with the illusive lilac reflections of the 
snow. There was an uncanny white glamour over 
the woods, and except for the distant roar of the 
unfrozen river rushing between its banks, a vast 
silence had fallen upon Knockdane. 
Not far from the wall, in a clearing, there is a pool. 
It is black and stagnant, with banks overgrown 
with yellow pimpernel, water flags, and rushes ; 
