102 MARY'S GARDEN AND HOW IT GREW 



ated proudly. "That was what father talked about 

 when mother said I did n't practise enough and 

 that I got very dirty in the garden." 



"And .what did the Herr Papa say?" inquired 

 Mr. Trommel, politely, as he surveyed the invalid 

 quince. 



The under-gardener drew a long breath. " He 

 said, 'For heaven's sake, Helen, let the child dig in 

 the dirt ; we have enough nervous wrecks in the 

 family ! ' But I think he was not talking to me," 

 she explained. "How did the quince get nervous 

 prostration, Mr. Trommel ? " 



"Well," said the old gardener, slowly, "it has been 

 working hard for a long time and blossoming very 

 profusely ; there have been many branches to take 

 care of. Then, it has entertained toe many visitors, 

 for the insects all like to come ; and then, the hard 

 winter, that has nearly made an end of it. I say it 

 has the nervous prostration." 



"But what can you do when a shrub has that?" 

 questioned Mary, in perplexity. "We put Aunt 

 Margaret in a sanatorium." 



"That is what I do with him. I put him in a a 

 1 rest-cure.' " 



"But when mother was in a rest-cure, she had to 



