THE SECRET OF THE SOIL 



like the ace of spades, which worked its 

 way through even the toughest proposi- 

 tions in the way of soil. But even with 

 this admirable implement I was many 

 weeks digging that little strip of earth 

 and crumbling it between my fingers, and 

 midsummer had arrived before the clema- 

 tis and geraniums were planted there at 

 last. 



When all was done the effect must have 

 been simply pathetic, considering how hard 

 I had worked. But heaven has given 

 me a lively imagination, and when an 

 encouraging husband cast his eye over 

 my achievement and remarked with grave 

 approval that "those red flowers already 

 dressed the wall amazingly," I gazed fondly 

 upon the little specks of scarlet against 

 the wildness of gray and thought so too! 



But whether the result was failure or 

 45 



