The winter after Nimble lost his spike¹ horns was a mild one. The snowfall was light. And Nimble was able to roam up and down Pleasant Valley and about Blue Mountain as he pleased.  
It happened that a certain bright day in early spring found him far up the side of the mountain, near the cave where he had waited for Cuffy Bear weeks before. And as that whole queer affair came back to his mind Nimble remembered how he had fed upon the green things under the snow.
 
That thought made him hungry. So he began to paw away the soft heavy snow, which wasn't more than a foot deep; and he was enjoying a good meal when he heard a sudden woof behind him.
 
Nimble wheeled instantly. And there, at the mouth of the cave, peering over the tangle⁴ which screened it, Cuffy Bear stood upon his hind³ legs, rubbing his eyes. Catching⁵ sight of Nimble, Cuffy blinked at him.
 
"Where's Nimble Deer, madam?" Cuffy Bear growled⁶ presently.
 
"I'm right here!" Nimble replied. "But please don't call me 'madam!'"
 
"You're not Nimble Deer. You're a Doe," Cuffy Bear insisted. "You have no horns."
 
"I'm a Deer," Nimble retorted. "I had horns; but I've shed them."
 
Cuffy Bear woofed a bit more. He seemed to be somewhat ill-tempered.
 
"You can't fool me," he grunted⁷. "Nimble Deer's horns were firm upon his head when I left him here and stepped inside this cave. He agreed to wait for me; and I'm surprised that he broke his promise."
 
"I am Nimble Deer," Nimble declared again. "You led me to this spot from the spring. You told me you wanted to take another look at this cave because you were thinking of making it your winter home."
 
Cuffy Bear eyed Nimble with astonishment^{8............}