could be more unassuming than goldthread and 

 wood-sorrel ? They live close to the soil of which 

 they are the offspring — a rich, odorous soil, black 

 with the accumulated nutriment of centuries. He 

 must be in hot haste indeed who treads on a patch 

 of mountain wood-sorrel, such is its mute, appeal- 

 ing beauty. It holds the eye and stays the foot of 

 every saunterer in the woods. 



But follow the by-roads in early summer and 

 you shall have very different company. It is here 

 you will find the sturdy travelers, who will go the 

 length of any road in all weathers ; and there are 

 none more cheerful and uncomplaining. They have 

 no fault to find; the world suits them very well. 

 You must be prepared to greet mullein and bur- 

 dock as equals. Here on the road they are as good 

 as any; they hobnob with the rose. Wild carrot 

 borders the dusty lanes with a fringe of lacework — 

 a real lace from the deft hand of Nature. There 

 is no brighter gold than the St.-John's-wort, albeit 

 it will not pass current in the town. 



The winds sow the fairest hedge by the road- 

 side — the winds and the birds; it seems that they 

 take kindly to these wayfarers. They are the good 

 fairies who plant elder and blackberry and scatter 



63 



