THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 185 



CHAPTER X. 



UPS AND DOWNS. 



THE weeks flew away, and September arrived. The 

 green grapes turned purple on the vines, and the strawberry 

 plants grew apace. Frosty nights threatened to cut off the 

 grape crop ; but happily it escaped. The warm, sheltered 

 situation caused the berries to show color several days 

 earlier than in the surrounding country, and the first ripe 

 bunch was gathered one Saturday noon by the impatient 

 Johnny, as soon as he returned from school. It was a fine 

 large cluster, and beautifully covered with bloom. Taking 

 it to the house, he showed it in triumph to his sisters. 

 Mary merely glanced at it, and then went on with her 

 sewing. She was dull and listless then, and did not seem 

 to care for anything in particular. The garden was a sor- 

 row and trial to her. The less she heard of it, the better. 

 Had it not ruined her every prospect? Ten days had 

 slipped away since she had seen him, and no word or sign 

 had she received in all that time. It must be that he had 

 been driven away by seeing her at work in the garden with 

 her brother and sister. 



Not so with the lively Kate. 



