Home. 73 



the grounds that she thinks will be an improvement, 

 whilst I busy mj^self about my new farm buildings. 



After we have completed our arrangements we 

 start for a six weeks' visit to my brother-in-law and 

 his wife, who have returned from their winter 

 quarters in Italy to spend the summer months at 

 their place in Yorkshire. When we come back to 

 our home I am surprised at the change I find there. 

 The garden is laid out in the most perfect taste. 

 The flowers form exquisite combinations of colour, 

 and also fill the air with delicious scents. 



"Why, Andrew," I say, ''what have you been 

 doing here ? " '' Well, sir," he replies, " 'tesn't me, 

 'tes missis. But you'll get used to it after a bit. I 

 didn't like the idea of it myself at fust, and I told 

 missis I wouldn't be responsible for the consequences. 

 And then I explained to her how we got our fine 

 effects by using great masses of red and yellow. But 

 she only laughed, and said, * O, Andrew ! I'm afraid 

 you're not Eastmetic' ' No, mam,' I said, * I'm 

 thankful to say I'm not.' Then she laughed again. 

 And a pleasant laugh it was, too. I couldn't make 

 it up ; I was flabergastered. I couldn't believe that 

 such a nice young lady would wish ill to an old man, 

 and servant of your honour's, too. And you know, 

 sir, astmatic, which I thought 'er meant, is a very 

 bad complaint ; not so bad, p'raps, as brown 

 typhus, or broken chitis, as some cal it, but a 



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