ACCORDING TO SEASON 



Indecision groups of yellow-brown Osmunda ferns, and for 

 festoons of bitter-sweet, with orange pods split 

 open to reveal their scarlet -coated seeds. No 

 stone wall can yield such occasional vistas of 

 meadow beyond, bright with golden-rod and aster, 

 and framed by brilliant strands of blackbenw vine. 

 When its plants and shrubs and creepers are left 

 quite unmolested, free to follow its devious course, 

 to twine about its posts, or to peep confidingly 

 over its topmost rails, then, I own, my loyalty be- 

 gins to waver. 



But after a time the rambler out of doors grows 



Unanswered accustomed to leaving his questions unanswered. 



questions Plant-nature, especially, he finds almost as incon- 

 sistent and contradictory as his own. Surprises 

 soon cease to be surprising. Even now the rank 

 stems of the chicory are studded with bright blue 

 blossoms. The sun shines warm and sweet upon 

 grass which is green and tender as in June. 

 Soothing insect-murmurs so fill the air that the 

 absence of bird-notes is hardly felt. Clover-heads 

 are full and deep-hued, yielding stores of nectar to 

 the bees. All about are bright groups of black- 

 eyed Susan — a plant which two months ago looked 

 brown and " done for." Feathery clusters of wild- 

 carrot spread themselves beside the fruiting um- 

 bels, which look like collapsed birds'-nests. Daisies 

 are fresh, and buttercups so glossy that one can 



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