204 THE GARDEN OF A 



has been beside me. I have fought it bravely until 

 various tasks were done; for when I once yield, I 

 shall be absorbed and no longer mistress of myself. 

 Now there is a comfortable hour before dinner; 

 Delia, another log for the fire, the lamp with the 

 pale yellow shade, the deepest chair ! I abandon 

 myself and draw the Terrible Temptation to me, 

 the seed catalogues that Evan has collected at the 

 office and then sent in a bunch by the morning 

 mail! 



I sort them over, selecting four, of which all the 

 others are but understudies, and straightway the 

 hope of spring fills my heart and I am once more 

 in the land of expectancy. 



February n (evening). Like the pnident and 

 methodical Plymouth Rock hens who may be seen 

 going in procession to the seclusion of their house at 

 a stated hour every evening, the time being regulated 

 the year round by sunset, so twilight in winter invari- 

 ably sees me at home, not dozing, but drawing my 

 keenest mental stimulus from father and Evan ; for 

 as they spend their days in active contact with their 

 fellow-men, their evening desire is of peace. 



Many of the troubles of country living would dis- 



