very severely, "and never before
have I been treated with such disrespect. When trees become houses
they seem to lose their manners."

"Forgive me," cried the Little Red House. "I didn't mean to be rude.
I was just listening. There are things going on inside me that I
don't like."

"I hope they aren't ill-treating you," said the Blue-gum.

"They are going to leave me!" sighed the Little Red House.

"And they are laughing quite happily, as if they were glad about it.
There's a nice thing for you!--Going to leave me, and laughing about it!"

"But perhaps you are wrong," said the big Blue-gum, who was not so
hard-hearted as he seemed.

"I always know," moaned the Little Red House. "I can't be mistaken.
Sym was singing his Tinker's song this morning long before the sun
was up. And then I heard him tell Emily Ann not to forget her umbrella.
That means that she is going; and the little dog is going, and I shall
be all alone."

"Well," answered the Blue-gum rather stiffly, "you still have ME for
company."

"I know," sighed the Little Red House. "Don't think I'm ungrateful.
But, when they both go away, I shan't be really and truly a home again
until they come back--just an empty house; and it makes me miserable.
How would YOU like to be an empty house?"

"Some day I might be," replied the Blue-gum, "if I don't grow too old.
There is some fine timber in me yet."

Suddenly there was a great clattering and stamping inside the Little
House, and Sym began to sing his Tinker's song.

"Kettles and pans! Kettles and pans!
All the broad earth is the tinkering man's--
The green leafy lane or the fields are his home,
The road or the river, where'er he way roam.
He roves for a living and rests where he can.
Then bring out your kettle! ho! kettle or pan!"

There's a nice thing for you!" said the Little Red House bitterly.
"What kind of a song do you call that? Any old place is good enough
for his home, and I am just nothing!"

"Oh, that's only his way of putting it," answered the Blue-gum kindly.
"He doesn't really mean it, you know; he wants a change, that's all."

But the Little Red House wouldn't say a word.

"It looks a good deal like rain this morning, doesn't it?" said the
Blue-gum cheerfully, trying to change the subject.

But the Little Red House wouldn't say a word.

Very soon Sym and Emily Ann, carrying bundles, came out of the Little
Red House, laughing and talking; and Sym locked the door.

"Now for a jo