130 A SWALLOW-WOOING 



ful clover, the utmost possibilities of that 

 humble plant, stems more than a foot long 

 with great red globes an inch and a quarter 

 in diameter, of several shades of color. A 

 handful of them made a rich and truly beau- 

 tiful bouquet ; and in lower spots among the 

 rocks, white clover like small snowballs, per- 

 fect as they, swinging lightly on their foot- 

 long stems. 



Beyond this intervale was a rocky ledge 

 crowned with a belt of " pointed firs " that 

 hid the ocean, 



" Where land and sea touch hand, and greet." 



On the right side was first a dwarf pear- 

 tree, on which, sooner or later, alighted every 

 bird of the neighborhood ; farther on, a ledge 

 where blackberries flourished, and a hidden 

 swampy nook where yellow loose-strife and 

 tall meadow-rue were found, and beyond all 

 a bit of the sea, with " Half-Way Light " 

 flashing its red and white at night. On the 

 left were more evergreens, with here and 

 there a roof, and the road to the village. 



Seated there in comfortable easy-chair I 

 watched the strangers who used the old pear- 



