THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 209 



" Mary has gone to dress for the Strawberry Show. 

 What do you want?" 



" Nothing, only a basket." 



When she returned, she was surprised to find her father 

 talking pleasantly with the young man. 



" When did you return ? " 



" Only this morning." 



u Ah ! your departure was sudden, and your return a 

 surprise, and a pleasure. I'm sure. We shall be glad to 

 have you call." 



The young man looked as if he would be glad too, very. 



"Here's Kate," said her father, laying his hand on her 

 fly-away hair, and smiling at her rosy face and bright eyes. 

 " She is our gardener and saleswoman. Our wonderful suc- 

 cess in our little garden is mainly owing to her efforts. 

 She and Johnny have run the whole establishment." 



" Say Mary, too, father; she helped us whenever we had 

 a hard place. Besides, it was her idea that we sell the 

 berries in " 



Suddenly she thought of something, and blushed scarlet. 

 Her father looked amused, and the young man studied his 

 boots intently. 



Just at this point Johnny appeared with another hamper 

 of fruit. More people crowded into the yard, and in the 

 new demand Kate forgot both her father and the young 

 man. 



Five minutes after saw the berries all gone, and more 



