of glee.

Then how they did splash! Some blind folks thought it must be a million
early pollywogs splashing. But the swim ended with another racket when
the dinner bell rang.

Each splashing Brownie hopped out and hung up his breeches to dry as he
got into his clothes.

Then you remember the fire came along and scared them away. Of course
the breeches were wet, so they didn't get singed; and there you can see
them hanging to this day on the first of May. That is what they really
are--Brownies' Breeches. And because the Brownies often swim in a ditch,
they are called ditch-man's breeches; but believe me, they are not
Dutchman's breeches and never could be.

[Illustration: The Seven Sour Sisters]

TALE 25

The Seven Sour Sisters

If you look along any half-open bank in the edge of the woods, or even
in the woods itself, you are sure to see one of the Seven Sorrel
Sisters, with leaves a little like Clover, only notched in the end and
without the white marks, that the Brownie put on the Clover. There are
seven of them, according to most doctors; five have yellow eyes, one
purple, and one white streaked with blood. Their Latin name means
"vinegar" and their Greek name means "acid." "Sorrel" itself means
"Little sour one," so you see they have the reputation of a sour bunch.
If you eat one of the leaves, you will agree that the name was
well-chosen, and understand why the druggists get the tart "salt of
lemons" from this family. The French use these Sour Sisters for their
sour soup. But in spite of their unsweetness, they are among the pretty
things of the woods; their forms are delicate and graceful; their eyes
are like jewels, and when the night comes down, they bow their heads,
gracefully fold their hands, and sleep like a lot of tired children.

TALE 26

Self-heal or Blue-curls in the Grass

[Illustration: Self-heal or Blue-curls in the Grass]

You should know the history of the lowly little flower called
Blue-curls; and you must remember that flowers have their troubles just
as you have. For one thing, flowers must get their pollen or yellow
flower-dust, carried to some other of their kind, or they cannot keep on
growing good seed. And since the flower cannot walk about finding places
for its pollen, it generally makes a bargain with a bee. It says, "If
you will carry my pollen to my cousins yonder, I will give you a sweet
sip of nectar." That is where the bees get the stuff for all their
honey, and th