OCTOBER 193 



are the gold and the primrose varieties ; for cutting 

 there is certainly nothing more telling than these 

 two in combination. The art shades, as they are 

 termed the so-called salmon and mauve and 

 purplish tints are better omitted unless there is 

 plenty of room for all, but the old blood-red is 

 always beautiful. Double white daisies make an 

 excellent border for the gold and primrose sorts, 

 and with the red no plant is prettier than the blue 

 forget-me-not. There is nothing new about the 

 combination, but assuredly there are few things 

 better. 



Oct. ii. I have been staying for a week with 

 Seraphina in Devonshire, and have had a very 

 pleasant time. It may be always taken for granted 

 that wherever Seraphina is there will be a pleasant 

 time, or Seraphina would not be there. Even her 

 husband seems to enjoy life, though Jim declares 

 that his contentment is probably the usual kind of 

 happiness in the married state resignation after the 

 event. Jim, as I have before indicated, has no very 

 exalted opinion of Seraphina, but he hates to find 

 fault with her, though Heaven knows she is faulty 

 enough. His desire to make the best of people is 

 in continual conflict with his healthy sense of 

 humour, and I have never heard him say anything 

 more severe of Seraphina than that she is careful 

 to keep all the commandments, one at a time. 

 After all, can much more than this be said for the 

 best of us ? Our virtues, as a rule, are wont to 

 display themselves singly. 



I return to find all our gates painted a bright 

 turquoise blue. I should think that there is no 

 o 



