BIRDS' NESTS. 169 



CHAPTER XL 



No greater contrast can be conceived than 

 that which Mrs. Square's neat little cottage 

 presented to the wretched dwelling they had 

 just left. The house itself was smaller, and 

 not so prettily situated. The garden in front 

 was too small to be turned to any profitable 

 account, but had not for that reason been 

 neglected, being filled, perhaps too thickly, 

 with stocks and wallflowers, and sweet- 

 williams, the first two in full flower, the last 

 making great promise of blossom. A beautiful 

 moss-rose-tree, covered with buds,, was trained 

 round the window on one side, and a myrtle 

 was beginning to put forth its leaves on the 

 other. The door stood open, and through the 

 doorway a cloud of steam was pouring out, 

 the smell of which, if not pleasant, was at all 



