164 MY SUMMER IN A GARDE X. 



resolve that the house should keep 

 itself; but it won t. There has been a 

 lively time in our garden this summer ; 

 but it seems to me there is very little to 

 show for it. It has been a terrible 

 campaign ; but where is the indemnity ? 

 Where are all &quot; sass &quot; and Lorraine ? 

 It is true that we have lived on the 

 country ; but we desire, besides, the 

 fruits of the war. There are no onions, 

 for one thing. I -am quite ashamed to 

 take people into my garden, and have 

 them notice the absence of onions. It 

 is very marked. In onion is strength ; 

 and a garden without it lacks flavor. 

 The onion in its satin wrappings is 

 among the most beautiful of vegetables ; 

 and it is the only one that represents 

 the essence of things. It can almost be 

 said to have a soul. You take off coat 

 after coat, and the onion is still there ; 

 and, when the last one is removed, who 



