264 THE GARDEN OF A 



office table that he carries them gladly, and there- 

 fore is called eccentric. 



I have always noticed that when people consider 

 others eccentric, it is because they are revelling in 

 some form of enjoyment that their critics can neither 

 compass nor share, and there are no people so devoid 

 of nature sentiment as the rank and file of commer- 

 cial American males. 



June 20. Roses, and more roses ! The arbour 

 vines are rich with colour. I am almost glad that 

 roses do not last all summer ; they are so strenu- 

 ous, they demand the best of everything, food 

 lodging, care, and I should be worn out also with 

 the prolonged luxury of the revel. 



The sweet peas are beginning to fringe the trellis 

 top, and bow and blush to the nasturtiums opposite, 

 all swaying to and fro in a line on either side the 

 path as if taking sides in the country-dance that fol- 

 lows the minuet of the courtly roses, and marks the 

 entry of the glowing, less aristocratic summer flowers 

 of July and August. 



****** 



] 've been watching a pair of song sparrows for two 

 weeks past, and have arrived at the conclusion that 



