COMMUTER'S WIFE 129 



further surprise was ambushed behind the rose 

 arbour, in the shape of two men from the florist over 

 in town of whom father had bought my birthday 

 flowers. 



" You see, Barbara," said Evan, shaking hands 

 with himself behind his back, a manner he has of 

 expressing satisfaction, " people always call in extra 

 help at a ' house-raisin',' so I thought that I would 

 do the same at this ' garden digging ' ; for if your 

 beds are shaped now, you can in your mind's eye 

 plant and replant, until when spring comes every- 

 thing will be decided to your satisfaction." 



I laughed aloud and clapped my hands at this new 

 outbreak of one of Evan's strong traits ; for the dear 

 fellow had only a few moments before warned me 

 that I could expect to do very little until spring, at 

 the very time that he was providing men with stakes, 

 measures, and lines to lay out the garden without 

 delay. 



Making a noise when I am pleased is another of 

 my savage traits. Animals do it; the dogs bay with 

 pleasure when invited for an unexpected walk. 

 When good luck came to Toomai of the Elephants, 

 he sat out in the night and thumped a tom-tom in 

 pure joy. Civilization is mostly silent in happiness, 

 feeling doubtless that at least feigned indifference 



