Bramble-bees and Others 



when we allow for memory begotten of touch 

 and sight. 



One winter evening, as we were sitting 

 round the fire, whose cheerful blaze unloosed 

 our tongues, I put the problem of the Leaf- 

 cutter to my family: 



"Among your kitchen-utensils," I said, 

 "you have a pot in daily use; but it has lost its 

 lid, which was knocked over and broken by 

 the cat playing on the shelves. To-morrow 

 Is market-day and one of you will be going 

 to Orange to buy the week's provisions. 

 Would she undertake, without a measure of 

 any kind, with the sole aid of memory, which 

 we would allow her to refresh by a careful 

 examination of the object before starting, to 

 bring back exactly what the pot wants, a lid 

 neither too large nor too small. In short the 

 same size as the top?" 



It was admitted with one accord that no- 

 body would accept such a commission with- 

 out taking a measure with her, or at least a 

 bit of string giving the width. Our mem.ory 

 for sizes is not accurate enough. She would 

 come back from the town with something 

 that "might do;" and It would be the merest 

 chance If this turned out to be the right size. 



254 



