CHAPTER VII

TREE MOTHER AND THE DROWSY BOAT


"Let's play hide-and-go-seek," cried the Forest Children, for that is
always their favorite game.

Up jumped Wild Star, down fluttered the Bird Fairies, in crowded the
Forest Children, and the Tree Man counted out for them. He pointed his
finger at each in turn while he said this verse, which he made up on the
spot:

"Sticks are racing in the flood--
Trees are racing in the wood--
In the tree-tops winds are racing--
In the sky-tops clouds are chasing.
In the tree-heart snug and warm,
We hear nothing of the storm.

When we play at hide-and-seek,
It is _you_ must count the sheep."

At "you" the finger pointed at Eric, and it meant that he was to be
"It."

"Put your head here on my knee. Shut your eyes and count one hundred
sheep jumping over a stone wall, not too fast," explained the Tree Man.
"While you're counting the others hide. Anywhere in this room, and
anywhere on the stairs. Out-doors is no fair."