90 MEMOIR OF FLEEMING JENKIN 



cherish you more than ever, you shall go where you 

 wish, you shall receive whom you wish — and as for 

 money you shall have that too. I cannot be mis- 

 taken. I have now measured myself with many 

 men. I do not feel weak, I do not feel that I shall 

 fail. In many things I have succeeded, and I will 

 in this. And meanwhile the time of waiting, which, 

 please Heaven, shall not be long, shall also not be 

 so bitter. Well, well, I promise much, and do not 

 know at this moment how you and the dear child 

 are. If he is but better, courage, my girl, for I see 

 light.' 

 cu *ate ^^'^ cottage at Claygate stood just without the 

 village, well surrounded with trees and commanding 

 a pleasant view. A piece of the garden was turfed 

 over to form a croquet green, and Fleeming became 

 (I need scarce say) a very ardent player. He grew 

 ardent, too, in gardening. This he took up at first 

 to please his wife, having no natural incUnation ; 

 but he had no sooner set his hand to it, than like 

 everything else he touched it became with him a 

 passion. He budded roses, he potted cuttings in 

 the coach-house ; if there came a change of weather 

 at night, he would rise out of bed to protect his 

 favourites ; when he was thrown with a dull 

 companion, it was enough for him to discover in 

 the man a fellow gardener ; on his travels, he would 

 go out of his way to visit nurseries and gather hints ; 

 and to the end of his life, after other occupations 



