OUR SENTIMENTAL GARDEN 



In spite of a fresh and most dismal explosion, her mendacity 



rose equal to the occasion / and her final statement, that 



she knew for a fact that pigs weren't half fattened yet, 



produced the intended effect, and the dear visitor was 



convinced. 



Later in the day when all was stilled once more, and the 



lovely April afternoon as full of country peace as it should 



be, the two went out and down the lane / the guest in a 



donkey-chair and her daughter by her side. To the tatter's 



discomfiture on their return they met the portly form of 



Mrs. Boyt, emerging from the walled 



garden with an empty egg-basket. 



Mrs. Polly was very anxious to 



skirmish the donkey-chair past 



with an ingratiating and nervous 



giggle/ but neither the donkey 



nor the lady in the chair would 



fall in with her strategy. The 



lady in the chair had a liking 



for Mrs. Boyt, and was amused 



at the thought of a little chat 



with her/ and the donkey, like 



all self-respecting donkeys, was 



bound in honour to stop dead 



when it was most wanted to 



advance. Perhaps, too, Mrs. 



Polly's artfulness had aroused 



lingering suspicions, for the 



lady in the chair was very 



firm: 



"Good evening, Mrs. Boyt. 



116 



