278 THE GARDEN OF A 



until I called him. That last arrival is . a curious 

 character study, a self-made dog, deserving admira- 

 tion for his reserve, but much like a person whom 

 it takes years to outlive a youth of deprivation. 

 When he first came to us, after living between coal- 

 box and wall in the flagman's house, he did not 

 understand having space to move about in, and so 

 he continually backed solemnly into corners. I love 

 Bluff, but I can only respect The Orphan, who is 

 old before his time, and while faithful, yet is too 

 humble, and lacks the spontaneity that makes young 

 children and animals lovable. 



The air grew cooler in the early afternoon and 

 light clouds gave a grateful half-veiled atmosphere 

 that coaxed me to. leave the tree and stroll to the sun 

 garden. Our scheme of grouping the spectrum 

 colours about the dial is a complete success, for the 

 zinnias are blooming evenly and the blue centaurea 

 matching them in height, the effect is at once rich 

 and unusual. Amid all the wealth of colour, the 

 blaze of light reflected from low-growing portulacca, 

 nasturtium, geraniums, and the first buds of many- 

 hued hollyhocks, it is through the nose more than 

 the eye that I am guided to where lowering clouds 

 are casting a few drops upon the bed of sweet 

 odours, thus completing the fragrant spell. 



