A GARDEN DIARY 93 



winter, for there is abundance to be done here ; 

 work moreover which must either be attended 

 to now, or else not done at all. With such 

 weather as we have of late had there is no 

 margin either for dawdling. To-day seems to 

 be an off day with the frost fiend's gang, and 

 we must try, therefore, to push our own work 

 forward before they are back upon us in renewed 

 strength. By the look of the sky, and the 

 general feeling of things, it is evident that they 

 are only just round the corner, and collecting 

 themselves for a fresh assault. As I crossed the 

 open end of the "glade" just now the wind 

 met me with an edge, cruel and cutting as spite, 

 or hatred. A few aconites and snowdrops are 

 pushing out their flower-tips, but it is a mere bit 

 of gallant bravado upon their part. By night 

 the stars, seen through any uncurtained window, 

 seem to wink at one derisively, and winter is 

 still at the very top of its strength. 



