PLANTING SWEET PEAS 53 



"Don't you like seeds mixed?" asked Mary, anx- 

 iously. "When you get a mixed packet you get so 

 many kinds for five cents." 



The old man shook his head. "I like to know 

 what I am planting. If I ask some children to spend 

 the summer with me, I like to know whom I have ; I 

 do not want them 'mixed,' even from the same 

 family. I had rather have mine under-gardener, for 

 instance, than the cousin who comes sometimes 

 what is his name ? " 



"Kenneth?" asked Mary. 



Mr. Trommel nodded vigorously. 



"Oh, Kenneth is nice ! He knows how to do lots of 

 things. He made a spring-board the last time he was 

 here just dug a hole and put one end of the board 

 under the fence, and then put a hassock under it to 

 make the spring, and" 



"Yes, yes ! " broke in Mr. Trommel ; "he used my 

 garden-sticks for fencing." 



"He is coming to my house as soon as school is 

 over ; he is making a garden, too." 



"Yes ? " said Herr Trommel, without interest. "He 

 may grow to be a fine young man, but I would 

 rather not have him in my garden. Come, let us 

 plant the poppies." 



