CHAPTER XIII 



The Flames that Clarify 



THERE are still other fires all 

 normal people like, such as one 

 that I have just helped tend, for in- 

 stance, the burning of dead vines and 

 stalks and weeds and leaves, the rem- 

 nants of a garden which for weeks 

 has been a generous provider. How 

 easily the hardened roots release their 

 former grip upon the rich black mellow 

 soil! They know their race is run, and 

 for the most part give up gracefully. 

 A few sturdy ones, however, that I had 

 thought were done with life made a re- 

 sistance altogether unexpected, but 

 after I had torn and broken down a 

 plant that was not ready yet to go, 

 I knew at once that I had interfered 



[i79] 



