ME. TROMMEL'S ASSISTANT 5 



geline. Suppose I put it on. "Would n't you like 

 to have me help you ? " she said coaxingly as she 

 unrolled a diminutive gardener's apron, made of 

 blue denim, just like the one Mr. Trommel had tied 

 about his capacious person. 



"Yes, yes," agreed Herr Trommel ; " I am in need 

 of assistance. But hang up your coat and hat, little 

 one ; they must not drop on the floor, for it is dirt." 



Mary hung up coat and hat, took off her rubbers, 

 and then put the strap of the apron over her head 

 and pulled out the curls that were caught under- 

 neath it. 



"My strings come around in front and tie just 

 like yours," she said, proudly ; then rolled up her 

 sleeves above her elbows in faithful imitation of Mr. 

 Trommel's shirt-sleeves. 



"Prachtvoll ! " declared Mr. Trommel. "Now you 

 are a real gardener." 



He left the greenhouse, and in a moment came 

 back with a small dry-goods box, -which he set in 

 front of the potting-bench. "That -will be about 

 right to stand on," said he. 



"Oh, is it for me?" cried the little girl. 



"It is for mine assistant, for mine under-gar- 

 dener," said the old man. " Now, Liebchen, we will 



