94 MY SUMMER IN A GARDEN. 



high temperature, which is delicious ; 

 and, hot as it may be, a little breeze will 

 come at intervals, which can be heard in 

 the tree-tops, and which is an unobtru 

 sive benediction. I hear a quail or two 

 whistling in the ravine ; and there is a 

 good deal of fragmentary conversation 

 going on among the birds, even on the 

 warmest days. The companionship of 

 Calvin, also, counts for a good deal. He 

 usually attends me, unless I work too 

 long in one place; sitting down on the 

 turf, displaying the ermine of his breast, 

 and watching my movements with great 

 intelligence. He has a feline and genu 

 ine love for the beauties of Nature, and 

 will establish himself where there is a 

 good view, and look on it for hours. He 

 always accompanies us when we go to 

 gather the vegetables, seeming to be de 

 sirous to know what we are to have for 

 dinner. He is a connoisseur in the gar- 



