Too Mutk of a Good Tiring 



They began to search ; but alas I wherever a 

 ripe fruit betrayed itself among the leaves, its 

 juicy flesh had been cut open by a blackbird's 

 bill. A few minutes' hunt had but scanty result, 

 and the Poet became the more uncomfortable 

 as he caught sight of Joseph Bates's (ace, wear- 

 ing an expression of taciturn wisdom, which 

 suddenly emerged from behind a row of peas 

 and disappeared again. 



" Poet," said the Member, raising himself and 

 straightening an aching back, " if it's share and 

 share alike, does that mean that each of us is 

 only to count as one blackbird ? I say, my good 

 fellow, you really must net this bed if we're to 

 get anything out of it" In this suggestion 

 he was warmly seconded by Bessie, aghast at 

 finding her treasure slipping from her so fast 



The Poet was a little disconcerted ; but he 

 faced it out bravely, and with the obstinacy of 

 his northern blood : 



" The unnttted bUckheaits ripen dark 

 All thine, along (he garden wall," 



he quoted. " No ; I will net no fruit in this 

 garden." 



