THE CHARM OF GARDENS 



13 



On Candlemas Day if the sun shines clear, 



The shepherd had rather see his wife on the bier. 



Our friend, the weather-wise gardener, and, by the 

 way, there is the unkind saying : 



Weatherwise, foolish otherwise 



has several things in his neighbourhood to tell him of 

 coming rain, as : 



1 

 That heliotrope and marigold flowers close their petals. 



2 



That ducks will make a loud and insistent quacking. 



3 



That so they say the cat will sit by the fire and clean her 

 whiskers. 



4 



That the tables and chairs will creak. 



5 



That dogs will eat grass. 



6 



That moles will heave. 



In the garden he too will observe the birds, more 

 especially that pert friend to all gardeners, the robin. 

 For they say : 



If the robin sings in the bush 

 Then the weather will be coarse ; 

 But if the robin sings in the barn 

 Then the weather will be warm. 

 208 



