OUR COUNTRY LIFE 



and there again in the bayberries! That delicate pale- 

 blue mass can't you see it? What bush can it be?" 



I gazed out in bewilderment; I had not seen that 

 particular effect before, and we rushed out together to 

 discover the new bush. But it was not a bush, merely 

 the wood aster planted by the birds which, rising to 

 the light and air, adorned with its exquisite tones the 

 green masses of shrubbery before the house. 



It is difficult for us now to imagine our existence with 

 out the absorbing interest of our country home. But 

 a wise philosopher once said that no one should be a 

 slave to his possessions ; that the mere fact of having a 

 corner exclusively his own should not necessarily tie him 

 forever to one spot or keep him from roving when the 

 spirit moves him. This is a difficult lesson for the En 

 thusiast to learn, but by dint of practice she has dis 

 covered that other countries have glorious springtimes, 

 and other lands grow gorgeous wild flowers; and this 

 very roving has made the homestead dearer. The ex 

 change of ideas draws us into contact with other minds 

 working out the same problems, makes us appreciate 



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