MY SUMMER IN A GARDEN. 51 - 



that I might put up a scarecrow near the 

 vines, which would keep the birds away. 

 I am doubtful about it : the birds are 

 too much accustomed to seeing a person 

 in poor clothes in the garden to care 

 much for that. Another* neighbor 

 suggests, that the birds do not open 

 the pods ; that a sort of blast, apt to 

 come after rain, splits the pods, and the 

 birds then eat the peas. It may be so. 

 There seems to be complete unity of 

 action between the blast and the birds. 

 But good neighbors, kind friends, I 

 desire that you will not increase, by 

 talk, a disappointment which you cannot 

 assuage. 



