THE CHARM OF GARDENS 



" I'd a great fancy for a spot I knew in Kent," said 

 the tailor. " Dark Yew trees all round one side, and 

 Daisies over everything, and a seat near by for people 

 to rest on, coming early to church." 



" Go on, Tom," said his sister lovingly. " Ar'n't you 

 satisfied with what you've got ? " 



He turned to me after putting his arm through his 

 sister's. " We've got our piece of ground," he said 

 cheerfully. " I'm going to be planted next to her, 

 on the left of the church door well, it's as good a place 

 as you'd find anywhere, and people coming out of 

 church will notice us easily. I'd like to be thought of, 

 after I'm gone." 



Death held no terrors for these people, it seemed, 

 they talked so happily of it, made such delightful plans 

 to welcome it ; robbed it of all its gloom and horror, 

 its false trappings, its dingy grandeur. 



There was a flaunting Red Admiral sunning its wings 

 on the tombstone. 



" I never thought," said the sister, " I should find 

 just what I wanted by accident. Isn't it lovely ? " 



It certainly had a beauty of its own. It was a copy 

 of an early eighteenth century tombstone, the top in 

 three arches, the centre arch large, and round, ending 

 in carved scroll work. In the centre of the arch a 

 cherub was carved, very fat and smiling, with wings 

 on either side of his head. Then, in good deep-cut 

 lettering, were the words : 



SACRED TO THE MEMORY 



OF 

 ROSE BRANDLE 



Both these curious people looked at me as I read 

 the lettering. Arm in arm they looked nice, cheerful, 

 loving friends, a good deal like one another in the face, 



50 



