Веснянки

           Instead,hewaspossessedofanoverpoweringdesiretoknowwhattheywere,tolearnwheretheyhadbeen,andwhethertheywouldmakefriendswithhimasthewinterbirdshaddone;andiftheydid,wouldtheybeasfickle?For,withtherunningsap,creepingworm,andwingingbug,mostofFreckles’“chickens”haddesertedhim,enteredtheswamp,andfeastedtosuchastateofplethoraonitsstorethattheycaredlittleforhissupply,sothatinthestrenuousdaysofmatingandnest-buildingtheboywasdeserted.

           Hechafedatthebirds’ingratitude,buthefoundspeedyconsolationinwatchingandbefriendingthenewcomers.Hesurelywouldhavebeenproudandhighlypleasedifhehadknownthatmanyoftheformerinhabitantsoftheinteriorswampnowgroupedtheirnestsbesidethetimber-linesolelyforthesakeofhisprotectionandcompany.

           TheyearlyresurrectionoftheLimberlostisamightyrevival.Frecklesstoodbackandwatchedwithaweandenvythegradualreclothingandrepopulationoftheswamp.Keen-eyedandalertthroughdangerandloneliness,henotedeverystageofdevelopment,fromthefirstpipingfrogandunsheathingbud,tofullleafageandthereturnofthelastmigrant.

           Theknowledgeofhiscompletelonelinessandutterinsignificancewashourlythrustuponhim.Hebroodedandfretteduntilhewasinafever;yetheneverguessedthecause.Hewasfilledwithavastimpatience,alongingthathescarcelycouldendure.

           ItwasJunebythezodiac,JunebytheLimberlost,andbyeverydelightofanewlyresurrectedseasonitshouldhavebeenJuneintheheartsofallmen.