AND HIS PLANT SCHOOL 85 



the plant world that chains them to the soil, and this is 

 one of their greatest difficulties, for it makes them so help- 

 less. Perhaps hanging there a long time had affected her, 

 for you know if you hang with your head down, you get 

 very red in the face. Still, she might have been only em- 

 barrassed. At any rate, it was a real kindness for the 

 master to rescue her from her dangerous position. 



" Almost perished for want of a good drink, that you 

 have tried so hard to reach but could not, you poor thing," 

 he said. "Not even strong enough to make your wants 

 known. You shall have a drink right now, and plenty 

 of refreshing showers when we get home. Then we will 

 see what you are good for. You must have been very 

 beautiful at one time. You are a child of the early sum- 

 mer, I see." And he, who believes a weed is but an un- 

 loved flower, carefully disentangled the rootlets from the 

 mossy bed, and examined the one crisp leaf that showed 

 something yet of its delicate tracings and former richness. 



That was how Miss Wilding came to be in the big sack 

 with a currant and other wildings. She was too weak and 

 timid to tell this to them, and, although she was greatly 

 refreshed by the cool drink, she had neither strength nor 

 courage yet to hold up her head. 



But it was not long before this strange little wild beauty 

 was wide awake and cheerful, growing thriftily to show 

 her gratitude for the gentle mist that was sprayed upon 

 her daily. The exquisite colorings of her gown, light 



