THE CHARM OF GARDENS 



himself, " The slight fingers of April. Do you notice how 

 delicate everything is ? " 



I had noticed. The air was full of suggestion, the 

 flowers were very fairylike, the green of the trees very 

 tender. 



" Pied April," said I. 



Instead of answering me again he unstrapped the box 

 that now lay beside him on the grass, opened it and 

 took from it a beautiful Fritillaria. 



" There's one of the April Princesses, if you like," he 

 said. " There are not many about here, just an odd 

 one or two ; plenty near Oxford though." 



" You know Oxford ? " said I. 



" Guess again," he said, smiling. " I'm no Oxford 

 man,, but I know the woods about there well. Please 

 go on working ; I'll talk." 



I was about to look at my watch when he stopped 

 me. 



" It's half-past two," he said. " The slant of the sun 

 on the leaves ought to tell you that." 



I was amused, interested in the man ; he was so odd 

 and quaint. " I've not eaten my lunch yet," I said. 

 " Perhaps you'll share it with me." 



" I was wondering if you'd invite me," he replied. 

 " I'm rather hungry." 



I had, luckily, enough for two. Slices of ham, some 

 cheese, a loaf of new bread, and a full flask. Very soon 

 we were eating together like old friends. 



In an inconsequent way he asked me what I thought 

 of the name of Noakes. 



I said it was as good as any other. 



" Let's have it Noakes, then," he said, laughing again. 

 A very merry man. 



" About this garden of yours, Mr. Noakes ? " I asked. 



He tapped his wooden box and said, " If you want to 



14 



