162 AUGUST 



larger heap by themselves; but underneath there 

 was splendid pulverised leaf mould, all ready to go 

 on the top of the fernery by-and-bye. So a 

 separate heap was made of this. Now begins the 

 slow work of conveying barrowfuls of bricks from 

 the extreme end of the premises, the north-east, to 

 this corner, the south-west ; and I feel that perhaps 

 it may be done by Christmas ! 



And now has come the rain, and stopped every- 

 thing. It is making up in inches for what we 

 ought to have had in July, torrents of it ; but all 

 gardening is at a standstill ; and there is nothing to 

 be done but take a solemn drive with the dogs in 

 the evening, when the rain has left off sufficiently, 

 and fetch the Burra Sahib away from his work. 

 How they love coming with me, those little 

 animals ! and how dull I should be without them. 

 When six o'clock comes, Klinker knows it is 

 driving-time as well as anybody. If I am still in 

 the garden, he comes and stands in front of me, 

 then makes two steps to the gate with anxious eyes 

 on me, and then back, dancing and quivering before 

 me. Quite plainly he says : 



" How can you stop in this stupid garden, when 



