“'Is it going to rain, do you think?' said one tree.
“'Yes, I think it will—some day,' said the other.
“'There are no clouds,' said the first tree.
“'No, there are no clouds to-day, but there were some the day before yesterday,' said the other.
“'Have you got any nests in your branches?' said the first tree.
“'Yes, one,' said the other. 'It was made by a little yellow bird, and there are five speckled eggs in it.'
“Then the first tree said, 'There is little Alma sitting in our shade; do you know why she is crying, neighbour?'
“The other tree answered, 'Yes, it is because she has no one to play with. Little Niebla by the river refused to play with her because she is not beautifully dressed.'
“Then the first tree said, 'Ah, she ought to go and ask the fox for some pretty clothes to wear. The fox always keeps a great store of pretty things in her hole.'
“Alma had listened to every word of this conversation. She remembered that a fox lived on the hillside not far off; for she had often seen it sitting in the sunshine with its little ones playing round it and pulling their mother's tail in fun. So Alma got up and ran till she found the hole, and, putting her head down it, she cried out, 'Fox! Fox!' But the fox seemed cross, and only answered, without coming out, 'Go away, Alma, and talk to little Niebla. I am busy getting dinner for my children and have no time to talk to you now.'