CHAPTER VIII 



MAKING A ROSE GARDEN 

 [April] 



ELLO, little one! Come over to work with 

 old Peter?" 



Mary nodded vigorously, pulled off her hat, and 

 then pushed off the rubbers with dexterous toes. "I 

 was almost afraid it would n't be possible. Oh, are 

 those the roses ? " she asked in a disappointed voice, 

 catching sight of the unpromising-looking heap, and 

 then turning to look at a brown branch with roots 

 a-dangle which Mr. Trommel held in his hand. 

 "I 've seen lots prettier ones in the florists', and 

 they were all in bloom." 



The old gardener looked lovingly down at the 

 brown branch. "The dear lady ! " he said caress- 

 ingly, as if the rose had been insulted. 



He looked over the branch for a few moments in 

 56 



