62 Make-Behleve

half, but not all, a stranger to the valley-
He saw that the old fox was not quite sure
of his way, and, having a great respect and
pity for the old, who cannot enjoy them-
selves, he spoke to him civilly, and asked
if he could be of service.

“ «J thank you kindly,’ said the oldster.
Tis pleasant here in the sun, and if you
will let me talk for a while I shall be pro-
perly grateful. For you must know that I
am a native of this hillside, come back to
spend my declining days in the land where
I was young. I was looking about for
the old hole: it was under a great rock, by
the side of which an oak-sapling grew. It
should be somewhere hereabouts.’

““Ttis close at hand,’ said the young
fox, ‘and empty. But the sapling is no
sapling nowadays.’

““« Indeed,’ said the oldster. ‘Well, I
will go back to it. Strange that I should
have to ask the way to the old home. Yet
I must ask the favour of your guidance.’

“The young fox trotted off with his