WHAT I KNOW ABOUT GARDENING. 129 



I do not know that these appearances are de- 

 ceitful ; but I sufficiently know that this is a 

 wicked world, to be glad that I have taken it on 

 shares. In fact, I could not pick the pears 

 alone, not to speak of eating them. When I 

 climb the trees, and throw down the dusky 

 fruit, Polly catches it in her apron ; nearly al- 

 ways, however, letting go when it drops, the fall 

 is so sudden. The sun gets in her face ; and, 

 every time a pear comes down, it is a surprise, 

 like having a tooth out, she says. 



" If I could n't hold an apron better than 

 that ! " But the sentence is not finished : 

 it is useless to finish that sort of a sentence in 

 this delicious weather. Besides, conversation is 

 dangerous. As, for instance, towards evening I 

 am preparing a bed for a sowing of turnips, 

 not that I like turnips in the least ; but this is 

 the season to sow them. Polly comes out, and 

 extemporizes her usual seat to "consult me" 

 6* 



