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 366 'GOD'S PEACE'

The crowd stops at the pavilioiij now awaked from its winter sleep by spring. All through the winter a lonely stranger has been its only guest.

' Let us drain our glasses to Spring, for Spring is life, for life is joy '

' What you don't eat throw to the sparrows, children. We must not forget the winter birds, now Spring is here.'

Up through the wood the happy people from the town follow the Spring.

' How delicious the scent of the pines and the earth is ; but don't walk on the grass, for it rained last night.'

' I must go into the grass, for I have found a blue anemone, and look at those white ones. How many there are, when one looks closely.'

■ And look at the beeches, how large the buds are already. I am sure they will be out before May, if this weather lasts.'

' Of course it will last. Just listen to the birds, how happy they are; they know all about it.'

Spi-iiig stands triumphant on the very crest of Rough-Hill, and the happy people break into joyous cries.

' Spring has reached even here. Look ! the mount of the mill is covered with new grass, and the wings are shining like gold in the sunshine. In the miller's garden the fruit-trees are budding. I wonder if we dare steal a branch ? I am sure it would blossom if we took it home.'