THE FRAME OF THE PICTURE 331 



tumble-down wall that we pass on our way to the river 

 woods. In August the leaves began to brown and curl 

 at the edges, while similar vines in the cool lane shade 

 were still green and growing. So you see, Mrs. Evan, 

 that, in addition to our other treasure-trove, we are pre- 

 pared to start a free vinery as well, and as our lucky 

 star seems to be both of morning and evening and 

 hangs a long while in the sky, Meyer, Larry's succes- 

 sor, we find, has enough of a labourer's skill at post 

 setting and a carpenter's eye and hand at making an 

 angled arch (this isn't the right term, but you know 

 what I mean), so that we have not had to pause in our 

 improvements owing to Amos Opie's rheumatic 

 illness. 



Not that I think the old man very ill, and I believe 

 he could get about more if he wished, for when I went 

 down to see him this morning, he seemed to have 

 something on his mind, and with but little urging he 

 told me his dilemma. Both The Man from Every- 

 where and Maria Maxwell have made him good offers 

 for his farm, The Man's being the first ! Now he had 

 fully determined to sell to The Man, when Maria's 

 kindness during his illness not only turned him in her 

 favour, but gave him an attachment for the place, 

 so that now he doesn't really wish to sell at all ! It 



