150 MAEY'S GAEDEN AND HOW IT GEEW 



are dancing. But they will have to go away soon. 

 They are beginning to fade now. Perhaps that is 

 why they are dancing so hard like Cinderella jus*t 

 before the clock struck twelve." She passed down 

 the path and stopped by the larkspurs. "He 's splen- 

 did, is n't he ? " said she, pointing to the big spike 

 which reached almost past her shoulder, "and the 

 only one out. I know what he says, Mr. Trommel." 



"Yes? And what does he say, Liebchen f " 



"He says, 'Oh, come on, you slow-pokes! Look 

 at me ! I 'm out. And it 's beautiful, beautiful ! I 

 can see all over the garden. You '11 miss the little 

 columbines if you wait any longer ! ' That 's what 

 he says," she ended, with a little laugh. "Now I 'm 

 going to see how big your sweet peas are, Mr. Trom- 

 mel. Mine are almost up to the bottom of my dress." 



The old man watched affectionately the little gar- 

 dener's figure as it passed between the two old apple- 

 trees to the open space at the foot of the yard ; then 

 he left staking his pyrethrums and followed. 



"They look beautiful," she said, turning to face 

 him as he stood beside her. "They are 'most as big 

 as mine. Won't they blossom soon?" 



"Let us see," said Herr Trommel, reflectively, tak- 

 ing off his cap and passing his hand thoughtfully over 



