ISO THE GARDEN OF A 



And now, if you please, we will talk of something 

 else." 



" I meant no offence, Barbara, I'm sure. I only 

 thought it fair to warn you," she persisted. "You 

 are young and impulsive and have no experience. 

 You never had any responsibility before in your life, 

 and now what you'll do for jellies, preserves, and 

 canned things this winter I can't imagine. There is 

 a very worthy woman in our town who puts up such 

 things for sale. I might order some for you if you 

 like. I suppose you'll be putting in a great many 

 improvements, a hardwood floor in the best parlour, 

 perhaps, to set off those new rugs and heavy plush 

 curtains. You must have had a good many wedding 

 presents I've never seen." 



" Thank you, but I do not need preserves and such 

 things. We all prefer fresh fruit and vegetables; 

 out of the growing season something can always be 

 bought at the market in town. I do not see why I 

 should make any change except little by little to 

 renew worn-out things ; for father, as you see, has 

 had a lovely rosy paper put in this room and given 

 me all the dear old mahogany that was mother's. 

 New brass beds ? No ; I detest them. I like the 

 feeling of being surrounded and having my toes 

 tucked in instead of poking them between the bars 

 as a canary does his beak. 



