THE FLOWERS OF SUMMER 75 



tion on the natural surroundings, it is worth 

 repeating. 



A minstrel of Mayeiice lost his heart, and, since 

 the poor may not marry, would go forth in search 

 of fortune. His courage was high, if his spirit was 

 sad ; and as he bade farewell to his lady-love, he 

 whispered her to hope for the best. Successful 

 beyond his hopes, see him once more amid the 

 familiar scenes to claim her for his own. 



The eve before the wedding was spent in gentle 

 dalliance by the lake-side. On an islet bank, 

 sweet blue flowers looked coyly out from among 

 the fresh grass. The lady sighed. In such an 

 hour the faintest wish is law. And straightway 

 he struck out from the shore. Strength failed him. 

 The parting was like to come hard upon the meet- 

 ing. He struggled near enough to cast the flowers 

 at her feet. " Vergiss mein nicht," he cried, and 

 sank. 



These flowers of the air, the summer butterflies, 

 like flowers of the land, are white and blue : white 

 in the sunlit open country, blue near the blue sea. 



Since last I w r atched the children on the way to 

 the farm for milk, time has moved on a few weeks 

 with the consequent changes. The pinnies have 

 been through several washings, and the sprig upon 



