MR. TROMMEL VISITS THE GARDENS 133 



ing a box of plants and quite oblivious to his en- 

 gagement with the Horticultural Club. He looked 

 up from his work as the door opened. 



"Good morning, good morning," he said, although 

 it was afternoon. 



"Oh, Mr. Trommel ! " said Mary, fixing reproachful 

 brown eyes on the old man's face, "are n't you com- 

 ing to see our gardens to-day?" 



Herr Trommel looked at her for a moment in mild 

 surprise. "Lieber Himmel ! " he exclaimed, suddenly 

 laying down the plant he held, "I was to look at the 

 little gardens, and here I was, even being so happy 

 with my new shrubs." He sighed deeply. "But wait 

 a moment, Liebchen, until I make these dear things 

 comfortable, and I will come with you. I must put 

 back the wet hay over their roots, so and tuck their 

 feet in, so they shall not get dry. They will be safe 

 now until I come back " ; and he followed Mary re- 

 luctantly down the greenhouse. 



"What place must we visit first?" he asked, tak- 

 ing his hat from the peg beside the door. 



"I suppose we '11 have to move and second and all 

 that ! " replied Mary, resignedly ; "the club 's here, 

 you know." 



"What ! " he exclaimed in surprise, as he opened 



