New Walks in Old Ways 



always the fittest that survives; so, 

 admire the ivy as we may, its sturdier 

 companion is apparently the one the 

 Lord meant should inherit the earth 

 and the fullness thereof. Just the 

 same, I propose to cultivate and pro- 

 tect my Ampelopsis to the last, for I 

 like it best. Anyone can have common 

 creepers with them for the asking. 

 You have to care for the other, and 

 somehow there is a double joy and 

 happiness in protecting and saving 

 that which one loves, and which if 

 neglected you know will wither and 

 decay. I can destroy that beautiful 

 growth on our north wall with a pocket 

 knife in one minute, although it has 

 taken years to produce it. You can't 

 kill the Virginia creeper with an axe. 

 The one, therefore, is the object of my 

 particular solicitude. The woods are 

 full of the other. 



It is that which I cannot now see 

 around the fireside where the black, 

 swan-like andirons stand that makes 



[14] 



