; in another room great red and yellow
autumn leaves festooned the walls. "You see this is the inside out or
rather the outside in of the tree," explained the squirrel; "this is
where the blossoms and leaves are kept when not in use."

It was all a little confusing at first to Laurie, for the squirrels
seemed to be in such haste, but they were so friendly, and chattered so
pleasantly to him that somehow or other he understood everything they
were saying, though they talked in squirrel language, and so by-and-by
he felt more at home, and sat down while they brought him some
refreshments.

[Illustration: Such delicious morsels, served in the most tempting
manner]

Such delicious morsels, served in the most tempting manner! Puree of
chestnuts, and hickory-nut cake--wonderful cherry cordial, made, the
squirrels explained to Laurie, out of melted sap of the wild cherry
tree--exquisite walnuts baked in acorn cups. Oh! I can't tell you half
what there was, for Laurie did not know himself, but it was all very
delicious, and the squirrels too seemed to think it an important
occasion, for there was a great deal of whisking of tails, and the
squirrel waiters sat up very stiffly with their little paws held up in
front of them, as though they knew how much was expected of them and
meant to do their share. Every now and then Laurie would see a pair of
bright eyes peeping at him over the stair, then off would scurry a baby
squirrel afraid of being caught, "for all the world," thought Laurie,
"the way we do at home when we are forbidden to come down when mother is
giving a party, so watch instead from a landing on the stair when
nurse's back is turned."

[Illustration: _The squirrel led the way down the winding stair._]

After the refreshments, there was more bowing and waving of bushy tails
and hand shaking or paw shaking, I do not know which--for it was time to
be off; Laurie thanked them very much and said he would like to come
again, which was very true indeed, and he said in his most "grown up
way" that he had had a delightful time, and the squirrels seemed pleased
and nodded again, and the same old squirrel, who must have been the
door-keeper, for he kept jingling a great bunch of keys in his hands,
now led the way down the winding stair again, until they reached what
must have been the cellar part of the tree, where the squirrels kept
their stores for the winter. It had grown so dark that their guide now
took a lantern dow