ME. TROMMEL VISITS THE GARDENS 135 



'Yes, yes; Wingate Thomas's twins. Go on; I 

 have them. And that!" he continued his inquiry. 



"That's Mildred and Donald," she went on, rap- 

 idly introducing the club, "and Margaret and Haddie 

 and I. Now you know us all." 



Herr Trommel scrutinized the club attentively. 



"Yes, now I have them ; let us go. Shall it be 

 your garden first, my child?" he asked, turning 

 to Margaret. 



And the Horticultural Club and its honorary mem- 

 ber started down the walk Margaret beside Herr 

 Trommel, Eleanor on his other hand ; for Mary, care- 

 ful on this occasion to avoid an air of proprietorship, 

 was following with Finnan Haddie ; the others went 

 on ahead. 



"It is not often," observed Mr. Trommel, becom- 

 ing affable and beaming on the Horticultural Club, 

 "that I have walked with such fine accompaniment." 



"I planted some beets," remarked Buddy Thomas, 

 turning to speak to the honorary member, and walk- 

 ing backward that he might not delay the proces- 

 sion, "but they have n't come up. What do you sup- 

 pose is the matter ? " 



"That I cannot tell, my lad, until I see what you 

 have done to them," 



