A GARDEN DIARY 93 
winter, for there is abundance to be done here; 
work moreover which must either be attended 
to now, or else not done at all. With such 
weather as we have of late had there is no 
margin either for dawdling. To-day seems to 
be an off day with the frost fiend’s gang, and 
we must try, therefore, to push our own work 
forward before they are back upon us in renewed 
strength. By the look of the sky, and the 
general feeling of things, it is evident that they 
are only just round the corner, and collecting 
themselves for a fresh assault. As I crossed the 
open end of the “glade” just now the wind 
met me with an edge, cruel and cutting as spite, 
or hatred. A few aconites and snowdrops are 
pushing out their flower-tips, but it is a mere bit 
of gallant bravado upon their part. By night 
the stars, seen through any uncurtained window, 
seem to wink at one derisively, and winter is 
still at the very top of its strength. 
