This drive had revealed to her a part of his nature which had rather puzzled her--a large, simple, quiet strength which had developed and grown to maturity beneath these trees.

We are all part of what we have seen.

We all carry with us through life somewhat of the scenes through which we passed in childhood.
Maggie knew now where Paul had learnt the quiet concentration of mind, the absorption in his own affairs, the complete lack of interest in the business of his neighbor which made him different from other men.

He had learnt these things at first hand from God's creatures.

These forest-dwellers of fur and feather went about their affairs in the same absorbed way, with the same complete faith, the same desire to leave and be left alone.