Chapter 6

           Theearlysummerdaysonafarmarethehappiestandfairestdaysoftheyear.Lilacsbloomandmaketheairsweet,andthenfade.Appleblossomscomewiththelilacs,andthebeesvisitaroundamongtheappletrees.Thedaysgrowwarmandsoft.Schoolends,andchildrenhavetimetoplayandtofishfortroutsinthebrook.Averyoftenbroughtatrouthomeinhispocket,warmandstiffandreadytobefriedforsupper.

           Nowthatschoolwasover,Fernvisitedthebarnalmosteveryday,tositquietlyonherstool.Theanimalstreatedherasanequal.Thesheeplaycalmlyatherfeet.

           AroundthefirstofJuly,theworkhorseswerehitchedtothemowingmachine,andMr.Zuckermanclimbedintotheseatanddroveintothefield.Allmorningyoucouldheartherattleofthemachineasitwentroundandround,whilethetallgrassfelldownbehindthecutterbarinlonggreenswathes.Nextday,iftherewasnothundershower,allhandswouldhelprakeandpitchandload,andthehaywouldbehauledtothebarninthehighhaywagon,withFernandAveryridingatthetopoftheload.Thenthehaywouldbehoisted,sweetandwarm,intothebigloft,untilthewholebarnseemedlikeawonderfulbedoftimothyandclover.Itwasfinetojumpin,andperfecttohidein.AndsometimesAverywouldfindalittlegrasssnakeinthehay,andwouldaddittotheotherthingsinhispocket.

           Earlysummerdaysareajubileetimeforbirds.Inthefields,aroundthehouse,inthebarn,inthewoods,intheswamp-everywhereloveandsongsandnestsandeggs.