, innocent, pure, unknown
and unknowing, therefore good, sincere and utterly trustworthy.
That is why the pines live. That is what they are talking about.
In many places I know the hearts of the pines are broken, and
they grieve continually. That is because there are too many
people. In this valley the pines do not grieve. They only talk
among themselves. In the morning they will wave their hands
quite gaily and will say: 'Waken, waken, Belle-Marie! Sweet is
the day, sweet is the day, God hath given, given, given!' That
is what the pines say in the morning.

[Illustration]

"The white mountains yonder are very old. How strong and quiet
they are, and how sure of themselves! To be quiet and strong one
needs to be old, for small things do not matter then. Do you
know what the mountains think, as they stand there shoulder to
shoulder--for they live only to shield and protect the forest,
here in the valley. They told me they were thinking of the
smallness and the quickness of the days. 'Age unto age!' is what
the mountains whisper. 'AEon unto aeon! Strong, strong, strong is
Time!'

"And yet I knew these mighty pillars stood only to shield the
forest which shielded Belle-Marie. So I stood upon the last
mountain and looked upon the great blue of the sky, and there
again I saw the face of Lake Belle-Marie; and the circle was
complete, and I sought no more, for I knew that from the abode
of perfect, unhurt nature it is but a step up to the perfect
peace and rest of the land where lives that Time whose name the
mountains voice in awe.

"And now, do you see what is happening on Lake Belle-Marie?
Through the cleft in the forest the pink of the early day is
showing, and light shines through the spaces of the pines. And
down the pebbles of the beach, knee-deep into the shining flood,
steps a noble creature, antlered, beautiful, admirable. Do you
see him drink, and do you see him raise his head and look about
with gentle and fearless eye? This creature is of the place, and
no hand must harm him.

"Let the thin, blue smoke die down. Attempt no foot farther on.
Disturb not this spot. Return. But before you go, take one more
look upon the Lake of Belle-Marie!"

So again I gazed upon the face of the lake, which seemed
innocent, and sincere, and trustworthy, and deserving of the
protection of the league of the pines, and the army of the
mountains, and the canopy of the unshamed sky. And then the
voice of the Singing Mouse, empl