`` And it is so easy to live with them . To hold converse with pines , to whisper secrets with the poplars , to listen to the tales of old romance that beeches have to tell , to walk in eloquent silence with self-contained firs , is to learn what real companionship is . Besides , trees are the same all over the world . A beech tree on the slopes of the Pyrenees is just what a beech tree here in these Carlisle woods is ; and there used to be an old pine hereabouts whose twin brother I was well acquainted with in a dell among the Apennines . Listen to those squirrels , will you , chattering over yonder . Did you ever hear such a fuss over nothing ? Squirrels are the gossips and busybodies of the woods ; they have n't learned the fine reserve of its other denizens . But after all , there is a certain shrill friendliness in their greeting . '' `` They seem to be scolding us , '' I said , laughing . `` Oh , they are not half such scolds as they sound , '' answered Uncle Blair gaily . `` If they would but ` tak a thought and mend ' their shrew-like ways they would be dear , lovable creatures enough . '' `` If I had to be an animal I think I 'd like to be a squirrel , '' said the Story Girl . `` It must be next best thing to flying . '' `` Just see what a spring that fellow gave , '' laughed Uncle Blair . `` And now listen to his song of triumph ! I suppose that chasm he cleared seemed as wide and deep to him as Niagara Gorge would to us if we leaped over it . Well , the wood people are a happy folk and very well satisfied with themselves . '' Those who have followed a dim , winding , balsamic path to the unexpected hollow where a wood-spring lies have found the rarest secret the forest can reveal . Such was our good fortune that day . At the end of our path we found it , under the pines , a crystal-clear thing with lips unkissed by so much as a stray sunbeam .
`` It is easy to dream that this is one of the haunted springs of old romance , '' said Uncle XXXXX . ''
Apennines Blair Carlisle Gorge Squirrels beeches denizens firs gossips sunbeam