, with a dimple and curl_]

The Journeying Man swept off his green hat when he caught sight of May.

"I knew you'd be here," he said. "May I tell my two young companions how
the joyful animals welcomed you when you came?"

May smiled at Amos and Ann. "How did you know?" she asked J. M.

"I saw it all," was the answer. "I was passing through the wood one day--"

The Journeying Man was interrupted here by a clock striking ten, and so he
was obliged to dash into rhyme:--

"One day the cheery wood-folk heard
A robin tell another bird
A piece of news, a joyful word
Repeated often over.
'Oho,' said they, 'we'll plan a way
To welcome back our pretty May.
We'll have a celebration day
To show her how we love her.'

"Professor Bear should speak, they planned,
With Dr. Fox upon the stand;
The bird quintette from Mapleville
Would sing its loveliest;
And Mr. Owl, the baritone,
Should give selections of his own;
And all the rabbit girls and boys
Should wear their very best.

"The day was fair with balmy air,
And banners waving everywhere;
The woolliest lamb, all curled and frilled,
Was sent to meet the guest;
And even little rats and things,
And creatures that had only wings,
Were given tiny parts to play,
And waited with the rest.

"Then, tripping light and skipping light
And laughing clear, a happy sight,
And flinging flowers left and right,
Came merry, merry May.
'Oh, welcome, welcome home!' they cried;
The banners dipped on every side.
She curtsied low, 'Just think,' she said,
'I have a month to stay!'"

May looked as pleased as Amos and Ann when the rhyme was finished.

"It's every word true," she said. "And here's some more news that the
little bird told--if you'd like to hear it:--

"Miss Butterfly sent word one day to all the garden people
That she would give a social tea beneath the hollyhock.
A robin read the message from a slender pine-tree steeple--
A note that begged them sweetly to be there by six o'clock.
They came a-wing, they came a-foot, they came from flower and thicket;
Miss Hummingbird was present in a coat and bonnet gay,
And portly Mr. Bumblebee and cheerful Mr. Cricket,
And tiny Mrs. Ladybug in polka-dot array.
There were seats for four-and-twenty, and the guest of honor there
Was a