LESSONS WITH PLANTS 



lOI 



things, continuity of purpose are all instilled uncon- 

 sciously without preaching, and, best of all, the pupils 

 come to love their flowers as parents love their children. 



Only a little shrivelled seed, 

 It might be flower, or grass, or weed; 

 Only a box of earth on the edge 

 Of a narrow, dusty window-ledge ; 

 Only a few scant summer showers ; 

 Only a few clear shining hours ; 

 That was all. Yet God could make 

 Out of these, for a sick child's sake, 

 A blossom-wonder, as fair and sweet 

 As ever broke at an angel's feet. 



Van Dyke, The Builders, p. 41. 



