ii 4 THE GARDEN, YOU, AND I 



as she calls it." Then presently, as the men sat talking, 

 Maria having gone into the house, our summer work 

 seemed to lie accomplished and complete before me, 

 even as you once saw your garden of dreams before its 

 making, the knoll restored to its wildness, ending not 

 too abruptly at the garden in some loose rock ; the bed 

 of sweet odours filling the gap between it and the gate 

 of the little pasture in the rear; straight beds of hardy 

 plants bordering the vegetable squares; the two seed 

 beds topping the furthest bit, then a space of lawn with 

 the straight walk of the old garden running through, 

 to the sundial amid some beds of summer flowers at 

 the orchard end, while the open lawn below the side 

 porch is given up to roses ! 



I even crossed the fence in imagination, and took in 

 the possibilities of Opal Farm. If only I could have 

 some one there to talk flowers and other perplexities 

 to, as you have Lavinia Cortright, without going through 

 the front gate ! 



Two hours must have passed in pleasant chat, for 

 the hall clock, the only one in the front part of the house 

 we had not stopped, was chiming eleven when wheels 

 paused before the house and the latch of the gate that 

 swung both ways gave its double click ! 



"The hens have come !" I cried in dismay, the dream 



