Goldilocks (one of the few yellow-bloomed Michaelmas Daisies), looking 

 at its near relation in purple over the way, 



A graceful little Plum-tree shoots up through the flowers ; its long 

 free shoots of tender green seem to laugh at the rigid surface of the 

 clipped yew beyond. Don't be too confident about your freedom, little 

 Plum ; it is more than likely that you will be severely pruned next 

 winter. But you need not mind, for if you lose one kind of beauty, you 

 will gain others ; the pure white bloom of spring-time, and the autumn 

 burden of purple fruit ; and be both handsome and useful, Uke your 

 neighbour the old yew. 



109 



