Then the buds break for very joy, and timid green things push up through the leaf-mold; and from the swamps the little frogs begin to pipe, at first in solo, but soon in exultant chorus, till the whole moist night is vocal, and then every one knows that the sugar time is over, and troughs and spiles are gathered up, and with sap-barrels and kettles, are stored in the back shed for another year.
But no rain came before the night fixed for the sugaring-off.

It was a perfect sugar day, warm, bright, and still, following a night of sharp frost.

The long sunny afternoon was deepening into twilight when the Camerons drove up to the sugar-camp in their big sleigh, bringing with them the manse party.

Ranald and Don, with Aunt Kirsty, were there to receive them.

It was one of those rare evenings of the early Canadian spring.