See here!" and he pulled down a thick gray, dry-looking branch.

"A body might think this was dead wood, but I don't believe it is--down to th' root.

I'll cut it low down an' see." He knelt and with his knife cut the lifeless-looking branch through, not far above the earth.
"There!" he said exultantly.

"I told thee so.

There's green in that wood yet.