`` It always drags terribly at my heart to go past a wood lane if I can make any excuse at all for traversing it : for it is the by-ways that lead to the heart of the woods and we must follow them if we would know the forest and be known of it . When we can really feel its wild heart beating against ours its subtle life will steal into our veins and make us its own for ever , so that no matter where we go or how wide we wander in the noisy ways of cities or over the lone ways of the sea , we shall yet be drawn back to the forest to find our most enduring kinship . '' `` I always feel so SATISFIED in the woods , '' said the Story Girl dreamily , as we turned in under the low-swinging fir boughs . `` Trees seem such friendly things . '' `` They are the most friendly things in God 's good creation , '' said Uncle Blair emphatically . `` 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 XXXXX wide and deep to him as Niagara Gorge would to us if we leaped over it .
If after against as at for of on to under