134 A BOUQUET OF MEADOW-SWEET 



round like balls. But it was the little man's face 

 more than his clothes that appeared so funny. 



Francis looked down at him and said, in a way 

 that sounded something like a song : 



When gentlemen meet there are certain things^ 



They always do together: 

 They nod their heads, and shake their hands, 



And talk about the weather. 



The little man never nodded at all. He looked 

 up in Francis's face, and although his mouth was 

 open, he said nothing about the weather. Francis 

 didn't seem surprised because the little man hadn't 

 answered him. He said he was glad to see him 

 standing up so straight, and that he hoped his cap 

 would stay on. 



Then a mosquito lit on the end of his funny 

 nose, but he never even put up his hand to brush 

 it away. Things certainly seemed very odd in 

 Philip's dream, and all because the little man 

 neither moved nor spoke, and the Rhododendron 

 bush had no flowers. The little man's ears were 

 large and round, and they stuck out very far as 

 Francis leaned down and said, in the way that 

 sounded again as if he were singing: 



When gentlemen part where roads separate, 



In noon-day sun, or in rain; 

 They turn their backs, and say farewell, 



And hope to meet again. 



