OUR COUNTRY LIFE 



and there again in the bayberries! That delicate pale- 

 blue mass — can't you see it? What bush can it be?" 



I gazed out in bewilderment; I had not seen that 

 particular effect before, and we rushed out together to 

 discover the new bush. But it was not a bush, merely 

 the wood aster — planted by the birds — which, rising to 

 the light and air, adorned with its exquisite tones the 

 green masses of shrubbery before the house. 



It is difficult for us now to imagine our existence with- 

 out the absorbing interest of our country home. But 

 a wise philosopher once said that no one should be a 

 slave to his possessions ; that the mere fact of having a 

 corner exclusively his own should not necessarily tie him 

 forever to one spot or keep him from roving when the 

 spirit moves him. This is a difficult lesson for the En- 

 thusiast to learn, but by dint of practice she has dis- 

 covered that other countries have glorious springtimes, 

 and other lands grow gorgeous wild flowers; and this 

 very roving has made the homestead dearer. The ex- 

 change of ideas draws us into contact with other minds 

 working out the same problems, makes us appreciate 



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