HOW THE RAIN CAME 



marvel at the hedge hyssop. All along 

 the shore the summer drought forbids 

 the water-weeds to grow. This rod-wide 

 space is not for them. The flood of the 

 winter and spring denies other land 

 plants a roothold; yet, just when you 

 think the shore is to be bare and barren 

 for always, troops forth the hedge hys- 

 sop and clothes it with verdure, lighted 

 with a golden smile. 



The common name of the plant seems 

 to me to express ingenuity rather than 

 purpose. It has nothing to do with 

 hedges and is not a hyssop, which is a 

 garden plant belonging with thyme and 

 lavender and other sweet herbs beloved 

 of old ladies in kerchief caps and figured 

 gowns. The hedge hyssop is none of 

 these. Nine months of the twelve it 

 bides its time under water. During the 

 other three it glo\vs in golden content- 

 223 



