298 THE GARDEN, YOU, AND I 



and one entering the .wood lane, were arched 

 high and covered by vines of Wisteria, while similar 

 arches seemed to bring certain beds together that 

 would have looked scattered and meaningless with- 

 out them. In fact next to the presence of fragrant 

 things, the artistic use of vines as draperies appealed 

 to me most. 



The border following the fence was divided, back 

 of the house, by a vine- covered arbour, on the one 

 side of which the medicinal herbs and simples were 

 massed ; on the other what might be classed as decora- 

 tive or garden flowers, though some of the simples, 

 such as tansy with its clusters of golden buttons, must 

 be counted decorative. 



The plants were never set in straight lines, but in 

 irregular groups that blended comfortably together. 

 Mrs. Marchant was not feeling well, Mrs. Puffin 

 said, and could not come out, greatly to my disap- 

 pointment ; but the latter was only too glad to do 

 the honours, and the plant names slipped from her 

 tongue with the ease of long familiarity. 



This patch of low growth with small heads of purple 

 flowers was broad- leaved English thyme; that next, 

 summer savory, used in cooking, she said. Then 

 followed common sage and its scarlet- flowered cousin 



