132 THE GARDEN OF A 



properly trimmed, will make a series of alcoves to 

 break the awkwardness of straight lines. Some 

 shrubs are too old and must come out or be re- 

 placed, and others, like the great syringas, lilacs, 

 and snowballs, can be allowed to meet over the 

 walk and may be cut out to form natural arches. 

 This I will manage myself. What do you think of 

 my scheme, Madam Commuter ? Doesn't it keep 

 the old and yet put it in a tangible, workable shape 

 without breaking any of the canons and laws of 

 my craft ? " 



I said that it was charming and suited me exactly, 

 but did not add that it was precisely what I myself 

 had planned yesterday in the attic and sketched on 

 the reverse side of the old slate. It is a great mis- 

 take to collapse the lovable little self-conceits of 

 men, for they are of a wholly different quality from 

 egotism. Besides, to have told Evan that his plan 

 was "piper's news" or that "great minds think 

 alike" would have deprived him of the pleasure of 

 pleasing me. Poor Aunt Lot had this fatal quality 

 of forestalling surprises and caused me to lode up 

 the characteristic for future avoidance in my brain 

 cabinet. 



Then Evan called the men, and the digging and 

 sorting began. It will take them at least a whole 



