THE SPRING AWAKENING 5 



border. We note one that grows low, with small 

 purple-blue blossoms, modestly trying to hide them- 

 selves among heart-shaped leaves, while betraying their 

 presence by a sweet pervading scent. Close by are 

 other tiny star-like blooms of bright blue, several on 

 one stalk. Next comes a plant with crinkled leaves 

 and rounded flowers of pale yellow, lifting their faces 

 confidingly towards the sky. 



These old friends we recognise at once Violets, 

 Forget-me-nots, Primroses. But how wonderful they 

 would seem, if they dawned on our vision for the first 

 time ! 



Along the outer edge of the border grow many double 

 red and white Daisies ; so unlike their cheery little 

 pink-tipped sisters on the lawn, that a stranger would 

 not call them by the same name. A patch of tall, early- 

 flowering Marguerite Daisies, standing hard by, really 

 have a look of cousinship. 



Tulips flourish in abundance; large red ones, single 

 and double ; little dainty yellow ones ; and pure white 

 ones with golden centres. The many-hued Polyanthus 

 claims attention ; and a silky Phlox with star-like pink 

 blossoms; and a white-flowered Candytuft; not to 

 speak of many more. 



At the back grow bushes, laden with Lilac-blossoms, 

 mauve and white ; and a Laburnum flings its long golden 

 tassels in the breeze; and on the hedge, behind the 

 Lilacs, where a wild Rose grows luxuriantly, one green 

 flower-bud has just begun to unfold itself, showing a 

 tiny streak of coral-red. 



All these we see for ourselves. And how much of 

 them do we really understand ? 



