y, and it
caught the snows in the wrinkles and twists of its boughs; and the
squirrel nested in it, and the wood-mouse nibbled at it; and its life
sufficed it, answering its desires.

* * * * *

One day there swept a mighty storm across the forest: the thunder
crashed and the lightning flashed continuously; and the whole land held
its breath, listening to the uproar.

The Lord of the Forest was moving among his children: and some of them
he passed without injuring or despoiling them; but others he smote
wrathfully, so that he rent them and they died.

And when he came to the tree that had one-time been the student, he
remembered, and desired to bestow on it a boon.

And he said to the elm, now gnarled and wrinkled, "You shall be a man
again, if you earnestly desire it--a man again until you die."

The tree heard the great wind roaring among its brethren, and it was
aware of the wee birds cowering among its boughs; and it remembered, as
in a flash, the weary life of humanity, with hopes to befool it and
despair for its reward: and it rustled its myriad leaves whispering
mournfully, "Let me, O Master, remain as I am!"

And the Lord of the Forest was content, and passed on.

THE MAN WHO HAD SEEN.

ON the third day he recovered from the "trance" and regained
consciousness, and took up the burden of his life as before.

But the revelation which had been vouchsafed to him had influenced him
profoundly. He had now a new estimate of values and results. The centre
of his mental life was permanently shifted, and a new bias had been
given to his thoughts.

He went to the King, where he sat sunning himself in his palace.

"You are very rich," said the man to the King.

"God has so willed it, and I am grateful," said the King.

"You hope one day to see God face to face?"

"I _do_ hope so, fervently!" said the King, with unction.

"And if He questions you of your wealth you will express your gratitude
and bow to Him, and God will accept the compliment and be content?"

The King was silent.

"You think He will ask no questions?" said the man. "He will not trouble
to refer to His starving children, with whom you might reasonably have
shared your superfluities; to the sick whom you might have succoured; or
to the sorrowing whom you might have cheered? You had wealth, and were
grateful for it: and you used it on yourself. And presently, when you
are dead?" asked the man, more q