108 MARY'S GARDEN AND HOW IT GREW 



there is n't anything else to do but go to school ; and 

 we have nature study now, too." 



"Don't the private lessons in horticulture count off 

 anything on the nature study?" 



The under-gardener shook her head. "Oh, but it 

 helps a good deal," she said, brightening. "Last week 

 I wrote about l suckers ' for my composition, and Miss 

 Bronson said it was ' very instructive,' " she repeated 

 with pride. 



"I should think it might have been. Can you keep 

 a secret, Mary, and not tell anybody ? " 



"Of course I can. 



' Honest, true, black and blue ; 

 Lay me down and cut me in two ' 



if I tell," she repeated firmly. 



"Well," he said, "of course you '11 do your best at 

 school ; but I promise I won't mind one bit if you 

 don't bring home such very, very extra good reports 

 as you 've had all winter." 



"What!" gasped Mary, in astonishment. "You 

 mean you 'd like me just as much if if I did n't 

 know anything, like Eleanor Thomas?" 



"I 'd like you just as well," he said resolutely. 



"And you would n't be horribly ashamed when 



