190 MARY'S GARDEN AND HOW IT GREW 



"That I cannot tell," said Herr Trommel. "Per- 

 haps it did not know. But plants will take much 

 trouble for their children." 



"I 'm sorry for the graft that died," said Mary, 

 slowly ; "but I 'm glad the eglantine took care of its 

 own baby. It does n't seem fair to make plants be 

 what they don't want to be." 



"No-o," said Mr. Trommel, doubtfully j "but it is 

 education ; it is life ; it is also horticulture." 



The next afternoon, when his visitors came, Mr. 

 Trommel was down at the end of his garden, at work 

 already on his young apple-trees. 



" I brought Haddie, Mr. Trommel. Do you mind I " 

 asked Mary. "He wanted to learn budding, too." 



"Eh? What?" Herr Trommel turned and scruti- 

 nized the two. "It is a good lad. I shall not mind," 

 he said, and turned again to his task. 



The old gardener was taking his work comfortably. 

 He sat on a square, low bench, no higher than a has- 

 sock. "It is as well," he said to Finnan Haddie, who 

 was looking interestedly over his shoulder, "to work 

 in comfort as in discomfort. Yes ! One must not 

 grudge the backache for one's work no. But if one 

 can work as well and have no backache, it is better. 



