WHAT I KNOW ABOUT GARDENING. 95 



I tell you, Polly," said I, uncorking the Bor- 

 deaux raspberry vinegar, " there is not a pea 

 here that does not represent a drop of moisture 

 wrung from my brow, not a beet that does not 

 stand for a back-ache, not a squash that has not 

 caused me untold anxiety ; and I did hope 

 but I will say no more." 



Observation. In this sort of family discus- 

 sion, " I will say no more " is the most effective 

 thing you can close up with. 



I am not an alarmist. I hope I am as cool as 

 anybody this hot summer. But I am quite ready 

 to say to Polly, or any other woman, " You can 

 have the ballot ; only leave me the vegetables, 

 or, what is more important, the consciousness of 

 power in vegetables." I see how it is. Woman 

 is now supreme in the house. She already 

 stretches out her hand to grasp the garden. 

 She will gradually control everything. Woman 

 is one of the ablest and most cunning creatures 



