THE POWER OF SUNLIGHT 99 



A plant cannot think, or reason, or resolve what it 

 will do. But certainly it does often act as though 

 after a fashion it knew what is good and needful for its 

 growth and health. The way in which it manages to 

 gain all possible sunshine for flowers and leaves, and the 

 way in which it takes in and uses materials gathered 

 from earth and air and water are very marvellous. 



It was pretty to see how gently matters had come 

 about in this particular instance. If a party of human 

 beings were all together, wishing to be in full sunshine, 

 and if the space in which they could move were small, 

 they might be tempted to think first of themselves, 

 and to push others into the shade. 



But the Violas had done no such thing. They had 

 just spread themselves softly out, as far as they could, 

 without any pushing. It really did look almost as if 

 each one had tried, not only to get plenty of light for 

 itself, but also not to hinder its neighbours from doing 

 the same. 



On one other occasion I remember noticing this eager- 

 ness of Violas for sunshine. It was on Sunday, in the 

 country and in early morning. On my way to church, 

 I saw a little grave in the churchyard full of them, in 

 full bloom. And though it was so early, and the Sun 

 had risen no long time before, yet each little face was 

 turned towards the east, right upwards in his direction, 

 as if rejoicing in his beams. 



" The heart that has truly loved never forgets, 



But as truly loves on to the close 

 As the Sunflower turns on her god, when he sets, 

 The same look which she turned when he rose." 2 



1 Thomas Moore. 



