32 



Presently, whoever it was passed on. Soon some one 

 else came up, paused, and stood looking at me. Then a 

 third person joined the second, and -stared over my fence. 

 But I paid no heed to them, going on with my work as 

 though there was no one there. Then the two ladies began 

 to talk to each other. I could hear every word. 



"Sad, isn't it?" 



"Yes." 



" They do say the blow was too much for her." 



" She thinks her husband is coming home and wants his 

 garden put to rights." 



" What a pity ! And the children too." 



" Bad for them." 



At length one of them spoke aloud, and said, " Good- 

 morning, Mrs. Gilman." 



"Good-morning, good-morning," replied I, looking at 

 the pair. ' ' Good-morning, Mrs. Smith, good-morning, 

 Mrs. Carter," for those were the gossips' names. 



"Fine day, is it not?" 



"Yes." 



"I say, Mrs. Gilman, have you any petunias in your 

 garden?" 



" No, I pulled them all up. They don't pay." 



Upon which the two women exchanged a meaning glance, 

 as much as to say, " It is true then." 



" I don't think they are a profitable flower to raise." 



