1 1 8 GARDENING BY M YSELF. 



pattern. And do I think it is in place with 

 such very little things ? O yes ! — with 

 everything. I had seen very little of life- 

 work when the knowledge first came to me. 



I was standing by the river side waiting 

 for my father, who at that time went to 

 town every morning and came home every 

 night. This night he failed to come. I 

 saw the little boat break through the river- 

 shadows with her line of light, I heard the 

 oars dip and work, but the seat in the stern 

 was empty. 



Dr. Skinner stood near me on the land- 

 ing, — stepping about, musing, half whistling, 

 as he often did Not talking to me, nor 

 seeming to notice me just then at all. Yet 

 perhaps his eye caught my look, or his ear 

 my tone, as I said quietly, — 



' He has not come !" 



With one of his quick motions Dr. 

 Skinner faced round upon me. 



"Are you resigned ?" he said. That was 

 all. 



I have had greater things to resign since 



