Chapter XVI

           Ifoundherdownintheoldneighborhoodneartheblueberryswamp,wheremymotherlivedandwhereLop-EarandIhadbuiltourfirsttree-shelter.Itwasunexpected.AsIcameunderthetreeIheardthefamiliarsoftsoundandlookedup.Thereshewas,theSwiftOne,sittingonalimbandswingingherlegsbackandforthasshelookedatme.

           Istoodstillforsometime.Thesightofherhadmademeveryhappy.Andthenanunrestandapainbegantocreepinonthishappiness.Istartedtoclimbthetreeafterher,andsheretreatedslowlyoutthelimb.JustasIreachedforher,shesprangthroughtheairandlandedinthebranchesofthenexttree.Fromamidtherustlingleavesshepeepedoutatmeandmadesoftsounds.Ileapedstraightforher,andafteranexcitingchasethesituationwasduplicated,forthereshewas,makingsoftsoundsandpeepingoutfromtheleavesofathirdtree.

           ItwasborneinuponmethatsomehowitwasdifferentnowfromtheolddaysbeforeLop-EarandIhadgoneonouradventure-journey.Iwantedher,andIknewthatIwantedher.Andsheknewit,too.Thatwaswhyshewouldnotletmecomenearher.IforgotthatshewastrulytheSwiftOne,andthatintheartofclimbingshehadbeenmyteacher.Ipursuedherfromtreetotree,andeversheeludedme,peepingbackatmewithkindlyeyes,makingsoftsounds,anddancingandleapingandteeteringbeforemejustoutofreach.Themoresheeludedme,themoreIwantedtocatchher,andthelengtheningshadowsoftheafternoonborewitnesstothefutilityofmyeffort.